Impact of Racist Comments at Trump's MSG Rally Expands
In a recent statement, former White House communications director Anthony Scaramucci commented on the state of America, highlighting the divisions present in society. He remarked, “What you saw last night is a divisive America. That's race-baiting. It's all the things that we were doing in the '30s and '40s," adding his perspective on the ongoing social issues.
TroibNews 
Donald Trump’s Madison Square Garden rally on Sunday evening was intended to serve as his final argument against Kamala Harris. However, it has instead shifted the spotlight onto divisive and racist remarks made from the stage, putting Trump's campaign on the defensive with just eight days left until the election.
The controversial comments, reminiscent of Trump's rhetoric in the closing weeks of his campaign, were made by comedian Tony Hinchcliffe during his early performance, which was meant to be humorous. Now, they are dominating media discussions and complicating Trump’s campaign as it approaches the election.
Peter Navarro, a longtime adviser to Trump, referred to Hinchcliffe as “the biggest, stupidest asshole that ever came down the comedy pike” after the comedian described Puerto Rico as a “floating island of hot garbage” in his vulgar opening set.
Trump's adversaries are seizing on the rally as evidence of the former president's divisiveness, even comparing the statements made to the ominous 1939 Nazi rally held at the same venue.
Anthony Scaramucci, a former Trump adviser, expressed his thoughts on MSNBC's “Morning Joe” Monday morning: “What you saw last night is a divisive America. That's race baiting. It's all the things that we were doing in the '30s and '40s.”
Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez labeled the rally a “hate rally,” emphasizing that it transcended being just another campaign event: “I think it's important for people to understand these are mini January 6 rallies, these are mini Stop the Steal rallies.”
In contrast, Florida GOP Rep. Byron Donalds attributed the negative reaction to the media's focus on "fear-mongering" rather than "the facts and the substance." He questioned the characterization of the rally, stating, “So to the New York Daily News, is it a racist rally if you have a Black man from Florida who's originally from New York speaking at the rally? I don't think so." Nevertheless, he distanced himself from Hinchcliffe's comments, clarifying, "I didn't agree with what the comedian said. None of us did."
Florida Republican Sen. Rick Scott, who is up for reelection in a state with a large Puerto Rican population, remarked on social media that the “joke bombed for a reason,” asserting that “Puerto Ricans are amazing people and amazing Americans!”
GOP Rep. María Elvira Salazar also condemned the comedian's rhetoric, stating, “This rhetoric does not reflect GOP values” in a post on X Sunday evening.
The Harris campaign quickly responded early Monday, spotlighting headlines from 17 newspapers, eight television clips, and 29 other remarks from public figures.
Celebrities of Puerto Rican descent, including Bad Bunny, Jennifer Lopez, and Ricky Martin, rallied in support of Harris.
Hinchcliffe’s comments sparked backlash beyond Puerto Rico, with him also making a crude remark about “carving watermelons” upon noticing a Black man in the audience. Another opener, businessman Grant Cardone, compared Harris’ advisers to “pimp handlers.”
Trump adviser Stephen Miller echoed themes central to Trump's immigration stance, claiming Americans are experiencing job losses as their roles are “looted and stolen from them” and moved abroad. He added, “America is for America and Americans only,” reinforcing a strongly anti-immigration sentiment that aligns with the campaign's ongoing messages.
Trump, known for increasingly polarizing rhetoric, continued this trend at the rally, mocking critics of his assertion that his political opponents are America's “enemy within.” “When I say ‘the enemy from within,’ the other side goes crazy,” he told the crowd.
Following the rally, the Trump campaign quickly distanced itself from Hinchcliffe's remarks. Spokesperson Danielle Alvarez stated, “This joke does not reflect the views of President Trump or the campaign.” While the campaign denounced Hinchcliffe's comments, Trump has largely remained silent on the rally, except for a post on Truth Social mentioning viewer counts.
In response to the backlash, Hinchcliffe claimed that those offended by his performance had “no sense of humor,” asserting, “I love Puerto Rico and vacation there,” and encouraging critics to “watch the whole set.”
New Jersey congressional candidate Nellie Pou, a Puerto Rican, reflected on the rally's tone, likening it to Trump’s criticized handling of Hurricane Maria in 2017: “These words are a warning of how he would treat Puerto Ricans if he were to set foot again in the White House.”
Greta Reich contributed to this report.
Ian Smith contributed to this report for TROIB News
The controversial comments, reminiscent of Trump's rhetoric in the closing weeks of his campaign, were made by comedian Tony Hinchcliffe during his early performance, which was meant to be humorous. Now, they are dominating media discussions and complicating Trump’s campaign as it approaches the election.
Peter Navarro, a longtime adviser to Trump, referred to Hinchcliffe as “the biggest, stupidest asshole that ever came down the comedy pike” after the comedian described Puerto Rico as a “floating island of hot garbage” in his vulgar opening set.
Trump's adversaries are seizing on the rally as evidence of the former president's divisiveness, even comparing the statements made to the ominous 1939 Nazi rally held at the same venue.
Anthony Scaramucci, a former Trump adviser, expressed his thoughts on MSNBC's “Morning Joe” Monday morning: “What you saw last night is a divisive America. That's race baiting. It's all the things that we were doing in the '30s and '40s.”
Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez labeled the rally a “hate rally,” emphasizing that it transcended being just another campaign event: “I think it's important for people to understand these are mini January 6 rallies, these are mini Stop the Steal rallies.”
In contrast, Florida GOP Rep. Byron Donalds attributed the negative reaction to the media's focus on "fear-mongering" rather than "the facts and the substance." He questioned the characterization of the rally, stating, “So to the New York Daily News, is it a racist rally if you have a Black man from Florida who's originally from New York speaking at the rally? I don't think so." Nevertheless, he distanced himself from Hinchcliffe's comments, clarifying, "I didn't agree with what the comedian said. None of us did."
Florida Republican Sen. Rick Scott, who is up for reelection in a state with a large Puerto Rican population, remarked on social media that the “joke bombed for a reason,” asserting that “Puerto Ricans are amazing people and amazing Americans!”
GOP Rep. María Elvira Salazar also condemned the comedian's rhetoric, stating, “This rhetoric does not reflect GOP values” in a post on X Sunday evening.
The Harris campaign quickly responded early Monday, spotlighting headlines from 17 newspapers, eight television clips, and 29 other remarks from public figures.
Celebrities of Puerto Rican descent, including Bad Bunny, Jennifer Lopez, and Ricky Martin, rallied in support of Harris.
Hinchcliffe’s comments sparked backlash beyond Puerto Rico, with him also making a crude remark about “carving watermelons” upon noticing a Black man in the audience. Another opener, businessman Grant Cardone, compared Harris’ advisers to “pimp handlers.”
Trump adviser Stephen Miller echoed themes central to Trump's immigration stance, claiming Americans are experiencing job losses as their roles are “looted and stolen from them” and moved abroad. He added, “America is for America and Americans only,” reinforcing a strongly anti-immigration sentiment that aligns with the campaign's ongoing messages.
Trump, known for increasingly polarizing rhetoric, continued this trend at the rally, mocking critics of his assertion that his political opponents are America's “enemy within.” “When I say ‘the enemy from within,’ the other side goes crazy,” he told the crowd.
Following the rally, the Trump campaign quickly distanced itself from Hinchcliffe's remarks. Spokesperson Danielle Alvarez stated, “This joke does not reflect the views of President Trump or the campaign.” While the campaign denounced Hinchcliffe's comments, Trump has largely remained silent on the rally, except for a post on Truth Social mentioning viewer counts.
In response to the backlash, Hinchcliffe claimed that those offended by his performance had “no sense of humor,” asserting, “I love Puerto Rico and vacation there,” and encouraging critics to “watch the whole set.”
New Jersey congressional candidate Nellie Pou, a Puerto Rican, reflected on the rally's tone, likening it to Trump’s criticized handling of Hurricane Maria in 2017: “These words are a warning of how he would treat Puerto Ricans if he were to set foot again in the White House.”
Greta Reich contributed to this report.
Ian Smith contributed to this report for TROIB News
