The Trump campaign made a rare move to publicly distance itself from a comedian’s offensive remarks about Puerto Rico during a rally on Sunday, an action suggesting fears over alienating key voter demographics. As the 2024 presidential race intensifies, Donald J. Trump and his supporters are projecting confidence about his chances of victory. However, behind the scenes, there are growing concerns that accusations of racism and fascism could be resonating with undecided voters.

Here's the whole Tony Hinchcliffe set. In comedy, nothing is off limits, laughs are the only metric. pic.twitter.com/WDNv4TadzQ

— Libby Emmons (@libbyemmons) October 28, 2024

 

The worry was apparent after Trump’s six-hour event at Madison Square Garden, where inflammatory comments were made by an opening act comedian who has a history of controversial jokes. At the rally, the comedian described Puerto Rico as “a floating island of garbage” and joked about Black people “carving watermelons.” The remarks quickly drew backlash from Puerto Rican celebrities and social media users, prompting the Trump campaign to issue a statement to clarify its stance on the comedian’s comments. Danielle Alvarez, a senior adviser to the Trump campaign, emphasized that the remarks “do not reflect the views of President Trump or the campaign.”

 

Traditionally, the Trump campaign has followed a policy of ignoring controversy and avoiding apologies. Alvarez’s statement marked a significant departure from this approach, indicating a heightened concern that Trump’s image as a divisive figure could sway undecided voters in the closing stages of the race. The Puerto Rican community, particularly in Pennsylvania—a battleground state with a substantial Puerto Rican population—was of particular concern to Trump’s allies.

 

Some Republicans with close ties to Trump echoed concerns about the comedian’s remarks. David Urban, a Trump adviser with roots in Pennsylvania, wrote on X (formerly Twitter), “I thought he was unfunny and unfortunately offended many of our friends from Puerto Rico,” ending his message with “#TrumpLovesPR.” Other prominent Republicans, especially in Florida where Trump’s campaign is based, also condemned the comedian’s remarks. Senator Rick Scott of Florida said on X, “It’s not funny and it’s not true.”

 

Representative Maria Elvira Salazar of South Florida voiced her disapproval, saying she was “disgusted” by the remarks, which she insisted did not reflect Republican values. Senator Marco Rubio added, “Puerto Rico isn’t garbage; it’s home to fellow American citizens who have made tremendous contributions to our country.” While Rubio criticized the comedian, he made sure to clarify, “those weren’t Trump’s words. They were jokes by an insult comic who offends.”

 

Although some Trump allies expressed concern, others downplayed the issue. Senator JD Vance, Trump’s running mate, seemed to dismiss the backlash. “Maybe it’s a stupid, racist joke, as you said,” he told reporters, “Maybe it’s not. I haven’t seen it.” Vance argued that Americans need to stop taking offense so readily.

 

In response, Democratic strategist Chuck Rocha, known for his work mobilizing Latino voters, began raising funds to spread the comedian’s offensive comments to Puerto Rican voters in Pennsylvania. By Monday morning, Rocha had reached his goal, launching a text campaign targeting 250,000 voters with a brief clip of the comedian’s remarks. “Puerto Ricans have a unique affinity for their homeland,” Rocha explained. “When you attack the island, it cuts so deep with the community.”

 

Following these events, the Trump campaign launched efforts to refute accusations of extremism. After Vice President Kamala Harris labeled Trump a “fascist,” the campaign released a video featuring Holocaust survivor Jerry Wartski, who condemned the comparison and demanded an apology from Harris. Wartski also appeared at the rally, where Trump allies countered accusations of extremism.

 

Real estate developer Steve Witkoff, a close friend of Trump, told the audience, “Accusations of extremism, they couldn’t be further from the truth.” New York radio host Sid Rosenberg responded to recent comparisons of Trump’s rallies to Nazi gatherings by joking, “It’s out of character for me to speak at a Nazi rally; I was just in Israel.” Hulk Hogan, taking a lighter approach, told the crowd, “I don’t see no stinkin’ Nazis in here.”

 

Trump himself sought to highlight his support from diverse groups, asserting that “Jews, Muslims, and Catholics alike were all lining up behind him.” He added, “The Republican Party has really become the party of inclusion,” signaling his campaign’s intent to broaden its appeal despite the controversy surrounding the recent rally.

 

Based on a report by the NYT 2024-10-30

 

 

 

His minions will try to do the usual lie denial confuse ect ect but trump has shown himself to be rasist on many occasions no doubt about it hopefully this latest confession admission will be enough for us to rid ourselves of him.we will soon be addressing the president as madam president!!im thinking!!

They're gaslighting us.

We saw that rally and many of Trump's other disgusting dystopian racist hate filled speeches.

 

Just now, Tug said:

His minions will try to do the usual lie denial confuse ect ect but trump has shown himself to be rasist on many occasions no doubt about it hopefully this latest confession admission will be enough for us to rid ourselves of him.we will soon be addressing the president as madam president!!im thinking!!

Exactly. He tells us what he is. Like 1000 times. 

He thinks people are stupid. The maga fascists might be but more likely they get excited by the fascist rhetoric.

Thank you so much "comedian" Tony Hinchcliffe.  

Just 1 more week and the snake oil runs out!

Tick Tock, Tick Tock!!

"Lock Him Up, Lock Him Up !!"

Edited October 29, 20241 yr by mushroomdave

 “do not reflect the views of President Trump or the campaign".   Ha. This BS statement is contradicted by the fact that Trump has not taken any responsibility for the dumb jokes, nor offered any apology for the comedian's vile remarks.

Walz just had a comedian making fun of Mexicans for being thieves but it isn't reported. Probably because absolutely nobody cares.

 

So the comedian told some tasteless jokes and flopped. If you listen to the rest of what is reported it was a wildly successful event with huge numbers of people in the city. 

 

I wouldn't say his flop was much worse than Michelle's man hating rant. 

4 minutes ago, Cryingdick said:

Walz just had a comedian making fun of Mexicans for being thieves but it isn't reported. Probably because absolutely nobody cares.

 

So the comedian told some tasteless jokes and flopped. If you listen to the rest of what is reported it was a wildly successful event with huge numbers of people in the city. 

 

I wouldn't say his flop was much worse than Michelle's man hating rant. 

Get ready to say madame president!!

Just now, Tug said:

Get ready to say madame president!!

She may get elected but i will never say that.

1 hour ago, Cryingdick said:

She may get elected but i will never say that.

Get ready to hear it...dick 

1 minute ago, Skeptic7 said:

Get ready to hear it...dick 

Time will tell Septic.

Who'd a thunk that the "Leapards Eating Peoples's faces" party would eat people's faces.

 

 

Edited October 29, 20241 yr by shdmn

Fine speech by Harris on the ellipse what a difference between the 2 imo it was a home run!

Trump’s team might have ‘distanced themselves’ from the racism presented, to the delight of the MAGA audience, at Trump’s MSG Rally, however Trump has not.

 

Turning up late for a press conference he himself called he avoided the issue entirely.

 

It’s a massive home goal and a gift to the Democrats:

https://www.politico.com/news/2024/10/29/donald-trump-puerto-rico-press-conference-00186043

 

The infighting has commenced:

 

https://www.nbcnews.com/news/amp/rcna177925

 

 

Edited October 30, 20241 yr by Chomper Higgot

75,000 people attended the Harris speech wow 🤩 that’s a lot of people!bet Donald is seething 😡 lol 😂 

1 minute ago, Tug said:

75,000 people attended the Harris speech wow 🤩 that’s a lot of people!bet Donald is seething 😡 lol 😂 

He’ll shortly be banging on about crowd size, he’s too easily baited.

Ahh guys and girls come on. We all know that Trump attracts the biggest, best, raunchy MAGA crowds in the history of America, the whole world actually. That's why he is "so far ahead of loser Kamala" and "if it wasn't for AI, you could count the number of people on both hands that 'Kamala paid and bused in' ". And don't forget to register so that the Trump grift machine can harass you for more donations.

4 hours ago, Tug said:

His minions will try to do the usual lie denial confuse ect ect but trump has shown himself to be rasist on many occasions no doubt about it hopefully this latest confession admission will be enough for us to rid ourselves of him.we will soon be addressing the president as madam president!!im thinking!!

See what I mean.  You did it again.

My guess is that less than 100 Latinos will change their vote to Harris after that ridiculously dumb and tone deaf remark by this comedian. In general I don't think comedy should be censored, however in the run-up to an election insulting all Latinos is just not a smart move. 

 

The people seem to have their minds made up, and nobody seems to be shifting votes. I could cite a dozen reasons why Latinos, people of color, and immigrants should not vote for Trump, but they would fall on deaf ears. 

 

They're eating the dogs 

They're eating the cats 

They're taking your pets! 

2 hours ago, Cryingdick said:

Time will tell Septic.

Nice comeback❗

5 hours ago, Social Media said:

The Trump campaign made a rare move to publicly distance itself from a comedian’s offensive

Trump said that the MSG rally was a" Lovefest' and "it was my honor to be involved. Looks like Trump shot himself on his foot one more time. His mouth and brain don't seem to be in coordination. 

5 hours ago, neeray said:

 “do not reflect the views of President Trump or the campaign".   Ha. This BS statement is contradicted by the fact that Trump has not taken any responsibility for the dumb jokes, nor offered any apology for the comedian's vile remarks.

 

One can only assume that you either missed it or are deliberately choosing to ignore the fact that a Democrat joke recently called ALL Mexicans thieves, but as usual the left wing media chose not to accuse the idiot Harris of anything. I think you should change your news media 

 

Only link i can find.

 

45 minutes ago, RichardColeman said:

 

One can only assume that you either missed it or are deliberately choosing to ignore the fact that a Democrat joke recently called ALL Mexicans thieves, but as usual the left wing media chose not to accuse the idiot Harris of anything. I think you should change your news media 

 

Only link i can find.

 

If you watch any Mexican or Mexican American comedians, you get use to their jokes about their own heritage. Hinchcliffe did not joke about his own. That;s the problem. 

Meanwhile, Sleepy Joe just called half of American voters "garbage".

 

Let's see Harris and the Dems distance themselves from that.

 

Edited October 30, 20241 yr by impulse

3 hours ago, Tug said:

75,000 people attended the Harris speech wow 🤩 that’s a lot of people!bet Donald is seething 😡 lol 😂 

 

And I've got 1257 toes.

 

Whatever the number, it seems they didn't know their own names 😆.

 

Harris is awful in front of crowds. So cringe.

 

 

Almost as bad as calling half the US population deplorables and garbage 😆.

34 minutes ago, impulse said:

Meanwhile, Sleepy Joe just called half of American voters "garbage".

 

I'm starting to wonder if Joe is actually trying to sabotage Harris' prospects as revenge for being stabbed in the back by her. 

 

It does seem reminiscent of Clinton's Deplorables comment. 

4 minutes ago, JonnyF said:

 

I'm starting to wonder if Joe is actually trying to sabotage Harris' prospects as revenge for being stabbed in the back by her. 

 

It does seem reminiscent of Clinton's Deplorables comment. 

 

I think it's more like he's doing penance for choosing her as his VP in the first place.

 

All he wanted was insurance against ever getting impeached.  He didn't foresee the unintended consequences.

 

Edited October 30, 20241 yr by impulse

There's no getting around it. This joke was a monumentally stupid thing for Trump's campaign to allow to happen. It's the closing day of a campaign under constant scrutiny for the slightest mistake in a venue that magnified events far beyond the usual. Every word spoken on the stage should have been approved beforehand. That it wasn't just proves once again how stupidly and sloppily Trump operates.