Tony Hinchcliffe’s comments about Puerto Rico during a Trump rally at Madison Square Garden have triggered significant backlash, with many celebrities and public figures condemning the remarks as offensive and harmful. In his set, Hinchcliffe referred to Puerto Rico as a “floating island of garbage,” drawing a strong rebuke from Puerto Rican artists and other public figures who pointed to the ongoing struggles the island faces, including economic hardship and past hurricane devastation.

Puerto Rican stars like Bad Bunny, Jennifer Lopez, and Ricky Martin were among those who quickly responded. Bad Bunny shared Vice President Kamala Harris’s recent comments about supporting Puerto Rico’s economy, where she criticized former President Trump’s inadequate response following Hurricanes Maria and Irma in 2017. Actress Rosie Perez called the joke “heartbreaking and very disturbing,” while Gina Rodriguez rallied her followers, encouraging Puerto Ricans to vote in support of their island.

Jennifer Lopez and Ricky Martin both posted the Harris video to highlight her stance on Puerto Rico, with Martin writing, “This is what they think of us,” and calling on Puerto Ricans to vote. Additional stars like Niecy Nash-Betts shared clips from Hinchcliffe’s set where he made other offensive remarks, further intensifying the criticism.

Amid the uproar, a Trump campaign representative released a statement distancing the campaign from Hinchcliffe’s comments, and Hinchcliffe later defended his set on X (formerly Twitter), arguing that he was an equal-opportunity comedian. However, his remarks fueled further calls from influential figures for Puerto Ricans to vote in support of leaders who prioritize the island’s needs, particularly in battleground states with large Puerto Rican populations.