(WHTM) - Pennsylvania's growing Puerto Rican population is in the spotlight after comments made by comedian Tony Hinchcliffe during an event hosted by Donald Trump at New York's Madison Square Garden.
“I don’t know if you guys know this, but there’s literally a floating island of garbage in the middle of the ocean right now. I think it’s called Puerto Rico,” said Hinchcliffe, whose set also included lewd and racist comments about Latinos, Jews, and Black people.
Hinchcliffe's joke was immediately criticized by Kamala Harris’ campaign as it competes with Trump to win over Puerto Rican communities in Pennsylvania and other swing states. Puerto Rican music superstar Bad Bunny backed Harris shortly after Hinchcliffe’s appearance.
Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro responded to Hinchcliffe's comments during an appearance on WILK Newsradio Monday morning, saying there are nearly half a million Puerto Ricans living in Pennsylvania.
"I'm damn proud to be their Governor. I think they make Pennsylvania a better, stronger, richer place – and they are our fellow Americans," said Shapiro.
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, in 2020, the Puerto Rican population was the largest detailed Hispanic group in Pennsylvania. The Pew Research Center says Pennsylvania has the fourth-highest Puerto Rican population in the United States which makes up about 8% of the state's population.
Pennsylvania’s Latino eligible voter population has more than doubled since 2000 from 206,000 to 620,000 in 2023, according to U.S. Census Bureau figures. The population in cities like Allentown and Reading is now more than half Hispanic, with a majority being of Puerto Rican descent and a sizable portion of Dominican origin.
Hinchcliffe responded to the criticism by many, including Democratic vice presidential nominee Tim Walz by saying “These people have no sense of humor,” Hinchcliffe wrote on X. “Wild that a vice presidential candidate would take time out of his ‘busy schedule’ to analyze a joke taken out of context to make it seem racist.”
“I love Puerto Rico and vacation there,” he added. “I made fun of everyone…watch the whole set. I’m a comedian Tim…might be time to change your tampon.”
Alyssa Farah Griffin, a former Trump White House official, posted on X in response to Hinchcliffe's comments at Madison Square Garden “Who wants to tell these guys there are ~ HALF A MILLION Puerto Ricans living in Battleground PA, whose votes are up for grabs?.”
The Associated Press contributed to this report.