Bill Maher defends Tony Hinchcliffe’s controversial Puerto Rico joke

Invoice Maher complimented comic Tony Hinchcliffe for the viral Puerto Rico-Jas he made throughout a rally of October 2024 for the then presidential candidate Donald Trump who made some politicians and the media livid.

Through the Trump assembly within the Madison Sq. Backyard of New York Metropolis, Hinchcliffe stated: “I do not know if you realize this, however there may be actually a floating island of waste within the … Ocean now.” Mentioned Hinchcliffe. “I feel it is referred to as Puerto Rico.”

Hinchcliffe was a latest visitor on Maher’s Club random podcast, The place Maher stated the comic made a ‘nice joke’.

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The American comic Tony Hinchcliffe speaks throughout a marketing campaign area for former president and Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump in Madison Sq. Backyard in New York on October 27, 2024. (Angela Weiss/AFP through Getty photos)

Hinchcliffe defined the story behind the joke that the media set on fireplace.

He stated he went to the rally to debate free speech and to make ‘that sort of jokes’.

“That Puerto Rico -jok was really a joke that I had executed so much in my standup, and it’s a part of a much bigger joke with extra entrance -end and an extended again -end,” Hinchcliffe stated.

Hinchcliffe stated, “Actually, on the finish of the conventional joke, I, you, I’m speaking in regards to the issues on the earth. And I’m going, and I do not know if you realize this, however there’s a floating island of rubbish in the midst of the ocean now. Sure, I feel it’s referred to as Puerto Rico,” replied with Lissen.

“The purpose of the joke is that individuals in my thoughts clearly think about the large Pacific waste,” stated Hinchcliffe. “I am unable to consider that no person ever talks in regards to the truth that there’s a plastic island that’s as huge as Texas.”

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Invoice Maher’s “Membership Random Podcast” and comic Tony Hinchcliffe talk about the Trump Rally Puerto Rico in October 2024 (Membership Random Podcast)

Maher stated: “There is no such thing as a doubt that it’s offensive to Puerto Ricans, however I’ve been over the identical space. I imply, I do not suppose I’d do precisely that joke, however I actually did so much to which an objection was made.”

Maher defended Hinchcliffe and stated, “My factor was at all times, you realize what? Everybody has to just accept within the context of comedy, insults … you realize, and they’re by no means trustworthy.”

Hinchcliffe defined his considering course of to enter the rally.

“After I did that to try this, that rally, the aim, you realize? It was not solely to swing a couple of, you realize, hundreds of voices, hopefully, from no matter, who listens to my podcast or who my loopy performances on the Tom Brady Roast or what was. It was additionally to let the president go,” that was. Thanks, man. That is nice. I favored your set. You get the group going. “By the best way, I did that. In fact that room shouldn’t be Micd for the comedy present.”

Maher requested if Trump responded to him that means and Hinchcliffe replied: “No, he did not do this, I could not discuss to him.”

Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, DN.Y., who seen that her household is of Puerto Ricotook the issues with the joke of the comic.

“That’s precisely what they consider you. It’s what they consider everybody who earns much less cash than she does. It’s what they consider the folks consuming them in a restaurant. It’s what they consider the people who find themselves folding their garments in a retailer,” stated the New York Democrat on the time.

Republicans additionally took the joke with the joke. Former Rep. Anthony d’Esposito, a Republican from New York, posted: “I’m happy with being Puerto Rican. My mom was born and raised in Puerto Rico. It’s a stunning island with a wealthy tradition and an integral a part of the US.

“This isn’t a joke. It’s utterly classless and in unhealthy style,” Rep. Carlos Gimenez, R-fla., A Cuban American, added on-line. “Puerto Rico is the crown jewel of the Caribbean and the house of most of the most patriotic People I do know. Tony Hinchcliffe is clearly not humorous and positively displays my values ​​or that of the Republican Get together.”

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Hinchcliffe obtained criticism from each Republicans and Democrats about his joke about Puerto Rico in the course of the Trump assembly in October 2024. (Photograph by Peter W. Stevenson /The Washington Submit through Getty Photographs)

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After this, Trump stated: “I don’t know who he’s. Somebody stated there was a comic who joked about Puerto Rico or one thing. And I don’t know who it was. By no means noticed him. By no means heard of him and do not wish to hear from him. However I don’t know,” Trump stated “Hannity” in October.

The Trump marketing campaign additionally rapidly distanced itself from the joke.

“This joke doesn’t mirror the views of President Trump or the marketing campaign,” famous Trump Danielle Alvarez in an announcement, in accordance with stories.

Hinchcliffe and the Trump marketing campaign have been criticized by many within the media for the joke and there have been concern that this may affect Trump’s election alternatives and assist throughout the Spanish neighborhood.

In line with National exit survey, Trump obtained 45% assist from Spanish voters, a rise in comparison with 2020, when he obtained 32%.

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Ashley Carnahan, Alex Nitzberg and Alec Schemmel from Fox Information have contributed to this report.