Puerto Ricans React to Comedian's Controversial Joke at Trump Rally

"I don't like it."

"Completely unfair, uncalled for."

"People don't forget."

Reactions from Puerto Ricans are being seen across the country regarding a controversial joke made by comedian Tony Hinchcliffe at Sunday's Trump Rally in Madison Square Garden. Hinchcliffe referred to Puerto Rico as "a floating island of garbage."

Victory Irizarry, owner of Prestige Auto Body in Erie, spent part of his childhood growing up in Puerto Rico.

"There's a lot of people who don't need any help being racist already," Irizarry said. "That was, to me, a very racial remark."

After moving to Erie at just 10 years old, Irizarry says he wants to make something clear for his fellow Americans.

"We're American citizens," Irizarry said. "A lot of people don't understand that we don't need a green card, we don't need anything. We're born American citizens, so we have the right to vote."

According U.S. Census data from 2023, Erie County's total population is just over 267,000. The Latino population is nearly 12,000 within the county, a majority being Puerto Ricans.

Rebecca Acevedo is a Puerto Rican who lives in New Jersey, and she says the comments take away from the true nature of the island.

"It's a beautiful, beautiful place," Rebecca Acevedo said. "Even in satire, it's inappropriate."

Irene Avecedo, a Virginia resident, says it has brought up questions about her security.

"It makes me honestly feel a little unsafe," Irene Avecedo said. "What does that look like for my life? What does that look like for my standing as a Puerto Rican person who's living here?