Of the practically 30 audio system who just lately warmed up the group for Donald Trump at Madison Sq. Backyard, comic Tony Hinchcliffe acquired probably the most consideration for racist remarks.
“I don’t know should you guys know this, however there’s actually a floating island of rubbish in the course of the ocean proper now. I feel it’s referred to as Puerto Rico,” he mentioned, later together with lewd and racist feedback about Latinos, Jewish and Black individuals.
The feedback have led to condemnation from Democrats and Puerto Rican celebrities, with Ricky Martin sharing a clip of Hinchcliffe’s set, captioned: “That is what they consider us.”
The Trump marketing campaign took the uncommon step of distancing itself from Hinchcliffe. “This joke doesn’t mirror the views of President Trump or the marketing campaign,” senior adviser Danielle Alvarez mentioned in an announcement.
Here is what to learn about Hinchcliffe, his comedic styling and the response to his Madison Sq. Backyard feedback.
Who’s Tony Hinchcliffe?
Hinchcliffe, raised in Youngstown, Ohio, is a slapstick comedian who specializes within the roast model, by which comedians take the rostrum to needle a star sufferer with private and infrequently tasteless jokes. He has written and appeared on eight Comedy Central Roasts, together with ones for Snoop Dogg and Tom Brady.
Even fellow comedians aren’t immune. On the Snoop Dogg roast, Hichcliffe made a joke referencing comic Luenell, who’s Black, being on the Underground Railroad. Of the honoree, he mentioned: “Snoop, you appear to be the California Raisin that acquired hooked on heroin.”
He had a Netflix particular in 2016 — “Tony Hinchcliffe: One Shot” — which was filmed in a single steady take. However he is maybe most well-known for internet hosting the Kill Tony podcast since 2013, which entails each skilled and novice comedians performing for a panel of judges for 60 seconds after which enduring their criticisms.
He started opening for comics like Joe Rogan, who did a three-hour interview with Trump on his podcast final week, and Jeff Ross and is credited with writing Martha Stewart’s raunchy zingers for a roast of Justin Bieber.
He has confronted backlash earlier than, particularly after he used a racial slur in 2021 about fellow comic and Asian American Peng Dang throughout a gig in Austin, Texas. Hinchcliffe was dropped by his expertise company, WME, and several other of his scheduled gigs had been canceled. He by no means apologized.
“I knew that what I had accomplished was not fallacious. It wasn’t even the worst factor I did that week,” he instructed Selection earlier this yr. “It was so dumbfounding to me as a result of it was a joke, and my stance is that comedians ought to by no means apologize for a joke, ought to by no means cease working if everybody comes after them and may by no means decelerate.”
How have others responded to Hinchcliffe’s Trump rally routine?
Democratic vice presidential nominee Gov. Tim Walz referred to as Hinchcliffe a “jack-wad” and U.S. Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, a Democrat with Puerto Rican roots, referred to as it “super-upsetting.”
Florida Republican Sen. Rick Scott, up for reelection this yr in a state closely populated with Puerto Ricans, wrote on social media that the “joke bombed for a motive,” and “Puerto Ricans are superb individuals and superb Individuals!”
How did Hinchcliffe reply this time?
Roast — or insult — comedians typically argue that there aren’t any traces in comedy and that the whole lot, irrespective of how delicate, is honest sport. Hinchcliffe responded to his Madison Sq. Backyard set with a variation on do not count on an apology.
“These individuals haven’t any humorousness,” he complained on X. “Wild {that a} vice presidential candidate would take outing of his ‘busy schedule’ to investigate a joke taken out of context to make it appear racist. I like Puerto Rico and trip there.”
Hinchcliffe has beforehand made controversial jokes about Sean “Diddy” Combs, George Floyd and the Baltimore Bridge collapse.
“I feel individuals should understand that we’re professionals. And sure, positive, we take care of the repercussions of what occurs,” he instructed Selection.
Hinchcliffe sees surge in social media following
Hinchcliffe acquired greater than 36,000 followers on X on October 27, the day he delivered the joke, in accordance with social media statistics outlet Social Blade.
Hinchcliffe has whole 307,406 followers on X as of now.
On October 27, Hinchcliffe’s Instagram following elevated by 23,763.
