Bill Maher Praises Pro-trump Comedian For Puerto Rico Joke That Set Off Liberal Uproar

Bill Maher complimented comedian Tony Hinchcliffe for nan viral Puerto Rico joke he made astatine an October 2024 rally for then-presidential campaigner Donald Trump that infuriated immoderate politicians and nan media.

During nan Trump rally successful New York City's Madison Square Garden, Hinchcliffe said, "I don't cognize if you guys cognize this, but there's virtually a floating land of garbage successful the… water correct now." Hinchcliffe said. "I deliberation it's called Puerto Rico."

Hinchcliffe was a caller impermanent connected Maher's Club Random podcast, wherever Maher said nan comedian made a "great joke."

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U.S. comedian Tony Hinchcliffe speaks during a run rally for erstwhile President and Republican statesmanlike campaigner Donald Trump astatine Madison Square Garden successful New York connected October 27, 2024. (ANGELA WEISS/AFP via Getty Images)

Hinchcliffe explained nan communicative down nan joke that group nan media ablaze.

He said he went to nan rally to talk free reside and make "those kinds of jokes." 

"That Puerto Rico joke was really a joke that I had done a bunch successful my standup, and it's portion of a bigger joke pinch much beforehand extremity and a longer backmost end," said Hinchcliffe.

Hinchcliffe said, "Basically, astatine nan extremity of nan normal joke, I go, you, I'm talking astir nan problems successful nan world. And I go, and I don't cognize if you guys cognize this, but there's a floating land of garbage successful nan mediate of nan water correct now. Yeah, I deliberation it's called Puerto Rico," Maher responded pinch laughter. 

"The constituent of nan joke is that group picture, obviously, successful my mind, obviously, nan awesome Pacific garbage," Hinchcliffe said. "I can't judge cipher ever talks astir nan truth that there's an land of integrative arsenic large arsenic Texas."

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Bill Maher's "Club Random Podcast" and comedian Tony Hinchcliffe talk nan October 2024 Trump rally Puerto Rico joke (Club Random Podcast)

Maher said, "There's nary uncertainty it's insulting to Puerto Ricans, but I person been complete nan aforesaid territory. I mean, I don't deliberation I would do precisely that joke, but I surely person done galore that person been objected to."

Maher defended Hinchcliffe, saying, "My point was always, you cognize what? Everybody has to accept, successful nan model of comedy, insults… you know, and they're ne'er fair." 

Hinchcliffe explained his thought process going into nan rally. 

"When I was going successful to do that, that rally, nan goal, you know? It wasn't conscionable to plaything a few, you know, 1000 votes, hopefully, of whatever, whoever listens to my podcast aliases whoever liked my silly capacity connected nan Tom Brady roast aliases whatever. It was besides to f---ing person nan president go, "That was cool. Thanks, man. That's awesome. I liked your set. You sewage nan crowd going." Which, by nan way, I did. Of course, that room isn't mic'd for nan drama show."

Maher asked if Trump responded to him that measurement and Hinchcliffe responded, "No, he didn't, I didn't get to talk to him."

Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, D-N.Y., who noted that her family is from Puerto Rico, took rumor pinch nan comedian's joke.

"That's conscionable what they deliberation astir you. It's what they deliberation astir anyone who makes little money than them. It's what they deliberation astir nan group who service them nutrient successful a restaurant. It's what they deliberation astir nan group who, who fold their apparel successful a store," nan New York Democrat said astatine nan time.

Republicans besides took rumor pinch nan joke. Former Rep. Anthony D'Esposito, a Republican from New York, posted, "I’m proud to beryllium Puerto Rican. My mom was calved and raised successful Puerto Rico. It’s a beautiful land pinch a rich | civilization and an integral portion of nan USA. The only point that’s ‘garbage’ was a bad drama set. Stay connected message."

"This is not a joke. It’s wholly classless & successful mediocre taste," Rep. Carlos Gimenez, R-Fla., a Cuban American, added online. "Puerto Rico is nan crown jewel of nan Caribbean & location to galore of nan astir patriotic Americans I know. Tony Hinchcliffe intelligibly isn’t funny & decidedly doesn’t bespeak my values aliases those of nan Republican Party."

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Hinchcliffe received disapproval from some Republicans and Democrats complete his joke astir Puerto Rico during nan October 2024 Trump rally. (Photo by Peter W. Stevenson /The Washington Post via Getty Images)

Following this, Trump said, "I person nary thought who he is. Somebody said location was a comedian that joked astir Puerto Rico aliases something. And I person nary thought who it was. Never saw him. Never heard of him, and don't want to perceive of him. But I person nary idea," Trump told "Hannity" successful October.

The Trump run besides swiftly distanced itself from nan joke. 

"This joke does not bespeak nan views of President Trump aliases nan campaign," Trump run elder advisor Danielle Alvarez noted successful a statement, according to reports.

Hinchcliffe and nan Trump run were criticized by galore successful nan media for nan joke and location were concerns that this would impact Trump's predetermination chances and support wrong nan Hispanic community. 

According to national exit polls, Trump received 45% support from Hispanic voters, an summation from 2020, erstwhile he received 32%.

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Fox News' Ashley Carnahan, Alex Nitzberg, and Alec Schemmel contributed to this report.