On Tuesday, Cuban-American Senator Marco Rubio came to Donald Trump's defense following a campaign rally at Madison Square Garden in New York, where comedian Tony Hinchcliffe referred to Puerto Rico as a "floating island of trash." The comedian's remarks, criticized for their offensive and racist tone, sparked widespread disapproval among politicians and media outlets.
Rubio stepped forward to defend Trump, stating, "Puerto Rico is not trash; it is the home of our fellow American citizens who have made significant contributions to our country." The senator further clarified that while some were offended by Hinchcliffe's jokes, these were not Trump's words. "Those were jokes from an insult comic who practically offends everyone all the time... because that's what insult comics do," Rubio remarked.
Rubio Shifts Criticism Towards Kamala Harris
Diverting criticism, Rubio turned his focus to Vice President Kamala Harris, accusing her of damaging the economy and allowing criminals to enter the country illegally. "What is no joke is how Kamala Harris has destroyed our economy and allowed dangerous criminals to terrorize Americans," he declared.
The senator also criticized "journalists" who, according to him, are aiding Harris in her "dangerous hate campaign" by comparing Trump to Hitler and using imagery from Nazi rallies to discredit his supporters.
Voices Against the Offensive Joke
Meanwhile, on Monday, Congresswoman María Elvira Salazar condemned the joke, and Senator Rick Scott also denounced these offensive remarks with a statement on social media, taking a moment to defend the people of Puerto Rico.
In response to the controversy, the Trump campaign disassociated itself from Hinchcliffe's jokes, stating, "This joke does not reflect the views of President Trump or the campaign," according to Danielle Alvarez, a senior campaign advisor.
Concerns Over Campaign Distraction
Despite the comedian's racist comments, the Republican presidential candidate described the event as a "love fest." However, Trump's allies expressed concerns about how this rally could distract from his campaign message at a critical moment, just a week before the elections.
On the other hand, Democrats seized the opportunity, ramping up their attacks on Kamala Harris's rival after the Puerto Rico comment sparked widespread condemnation and highlighted the growing influence of a key Latino group in the battleground state of Pennsylvania.
Harris characterized Trump's rally at Madison Square Garden as "more vivid than usual" and accused it of "fueling the flames of hate," while President Joe Biden described the rally as "simply disgraceful."