Ohio Senator JD Vance has come to the defense of comedian Tony Hinchcliffe following backlash over offensive remarks made at a recent Donald Trump rally, arguing that American greatness cannot be restored if we get offended by “little things.”
At a campaign event in Racine, Wisconsin, Vance criticized the public’s outrage over Hinchcliffe’s joke about Puerto Rico, saying, “I’m just so over it.” Vance argued that society needs to stop being overly sensitive.
“I’m not going to comment on the specifics of the joke, but I think that we have to stop getting so offended at every little thing in the United States of America. I’m just I’m so over it,” he stated.
“Can we all just take a chill pill and take a joke from time to time?” he later added, describing the backlash as “ridiculous.”
“We are not going to restore the greatness of American civilization if we get offended at every little thing,” Vance declared.
Hinchcliffe’s comments, made during a rally at Madison Square Garden, included a derogatory reference to Puerto Rico as “a floating island of garbage” and other offensive remarks about racial groups. The backlash was swift, with notable figures like Puerto Rican artists Bad Bunny, Jennifer Lopez, and Ricky Martin expressing support for Vice President Kamala Harris in response to the comments.
Governor Tim Walz of Minnesota and Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez also condemned Hinchcliffe’s remarks during a live Twitch broadcast. Walz recalled Trump’s inadequate response to Hurricane Maria in 2017, emphasizing that Puerto Ricans are U.S. citizens who contribute to the country. Ocasio-Cortez labeled the joke “super upsetting,” stating that such comments reflect a broader disrespect for marginalized communities.
In response to the criticism, Hinchcliffe took to social media, claiming that his joke had been taken “out of context.”
The Trump campaign sought to distance itself from the controversy, with senior adviser Danielle Alvarez stating that the joke “does not reflect the views of President Trump or the campaign.” Senator Marco Rubio also criticized Hinchcliffe’s remarks while defending Trump, asserting, “Puerto Rico isn’t garbage; it’s home to fellow American citizens.”
Watch Vance’s remarks in the clip below:
Vance claims he hasn't seen the MSG rally Puerto Rico joke saying at campaign rally in WI
"Can we all just take a chill pill and take a joke from time to time.” pic.twitter.com/0ufNKO0G9U
— Andrew Craft (@AndrewCraft) October 28, 2024
