Reactions mixed to ‘floating island of garbage’ in Pennsylvania

(The Center Square) – This election season’s traditional “October Surprise” has turned into a series of events, the latest of which has candidates scrambling to distance themselves from inflammatory remarks made by a comedian and a sitting president.

Comedian Tony Hinchcliffe calling Puerto Rico a “floating island of garbage” during the warmup for the recent Trump rally at Madison Square Garden triggered backlash that escalated when President Joe Biden countered by labeling Trump supporters “garbage” in response.

With attention already on Latino voters in states like Pennsylvania, which have significant Puerto Rican populations, the question remains: what impact, if any, will the comment – and Democrats’ efforts to link it to Donald Trump – have on election day?

Reactions are mixed.

A statement emailed to The Center Square by PA Dems Black and Latino Caucus chairs denounced Hinchcliffe’s comments about Puerto Rico and another made in reference to a Black audience member.

“To demean Puerto Rico as “a floating island of garbage” and use derogatory, dehumanizing language rooted in racist stereotypes is not only disgraceful; it is an attack on our shared dignity, our heritage, and the very principles of respect and equality that should define our nation,” the statement says.

They claim it was a calculated choice to give the stage to a comedian with a known history of bigotry – one that signals that some are willing to “embrace prejudice and degrade entire communities, especially communities of color, to stoke division and resentment.”

“These are not just words; they are the symbols of a darker ideology that belongs in the past. We know the painful history behind these insults, and we refuse to let this past be our future. Our communities are resilient, powerful, and united in the fight against such prejudice.”

Additionally, they urge Black and Latino communities, Pennsylvanians and all Americans to reject hate-filled attacks and rally for a future of equality and respect.

“Now is the time to organize, to vote, and to demand leaders who champion dignity for all, not those who rely on hateful rhetoric to gain power,” the statement concludes.

The Pennsylvania Family Council sees it a bit differently.

The council’s Hispanic Outreach Director, Robert Albino, told The Center Square he in no way condones the comments, “but at the end of the day, it was a roaster comedian who made jokes about a number of different ethnicities, groups and individuals.”

He argued it’s hypocritical to link the comedian’s comments to the former president while seeking to separate his opponent, Vice President Kamala Harris, from Biden’s remark about Trump supporters.

As a Puerto Rican pastor and faith community leader in the state, he received an inquiry from people connected to the Trump campaign asking for his reaction.

He told them he doesn’t blame the comedian – who is known for being offensive – but believes the fault lies with rally organizers, and ultimately, the person responsible for selecting Hinchcliffe should be held accountable.

“Trump has said things he has rightfully taken heat for, but this is not on him,” Albino said.

He told us he addressed the Puerto Rican community from the platform at the Trump rally in Allentown on Tuesday, saying, “This election cannot be about what was said by a comedian, it’s about what’s going to be the best policy agenda for our future and the future of our children.”

Although some people have expressed a desire to change their vote, he said, it is unlikely to make a large impact, as they remain focused on what’s at stake for the Puerto Rican community in America. He added that Puerto Rico, the island, benefits greatly from a thriving economy here stateside.

He said the Harris campaign has not focused on policy and believes their votes will be guided by what the record shows.

Policies that will resonate with the Puerto Rican community, and what he believes will take them to the polls, are those that create a strong economy, low inflation and taxes, and “getting “the government’s foot off the neck of our small businesses and our entrepreneurs.”

Albino said they want to provide their children with “a good education instead of indoctrination, take pornography out of schools, and make our border secure.” He emphasized the importance of world peace, stating, “it will be our Puerto Rican children and grandchildren who will be sent to war if we don’t fix the global angst and tensions that exist right now.”