Puerto Ricans in Polk react angrily to the insult at the Trump rally

Puerto Ricans in Polk County joined others across the country in blasting a comedian who disparaged the area Sunday during a campaign rally for former President Donald Trump.

Locked in a tight showdown with Vice President Kamala Harris, the Democratic candidate, Trump, a Republican, organized a campaign extravaganza at Madison Square Garden in New York. Although the former president was the headliner, media coverage of the spectacle largely focused on the comedian Tony Hinchcliffeone of nearly thirty speakers who preceded Trump on stage.

During his routine, Hinchcliffe said: “I don’t know if you guys know this, but there’s literally a floating island of rubbish in the middle of the ocean right now. I think it’s called Puerto Rico.”

Hinchcliffe also insulted Latinos in general, suggesting in a crude sexual reference that they produce more children than other groups. His act also included derogatory mentions of Jewish and black Americans.

Hinchcliffe’s routine sparked outrage from a range of Puerto Rican and Latino figures. In the aftermath, Puerto Rican celebrities perform as singers Ricky Martin and Bad Bunny expressed support for Harris’ campaign.

Polk County Democratic Party Chairman Cesar Ramirez is a member of many “Boricua” social media groups and he said Hinchcliffe’s video clip was posted to dozens of sites within hours of his appearance at the rally.

“Our feelings are hurt because we’ve had this term for a long time, ‘second-class citizens,’ that we never really want to say that out loud, and that was said at Madison Square Garden,” Ramirez said Monday. “So we’re angry. We are disappointed in the Republican Party, and I would like to see more Republicans stand up and say that what that person said (was wrong). I don’t care if he was a comedian. I don’t care if his job is to roast people. That was a political event for the highest office in this country, and the job of the person seeking that position should be to unite America.”

Ramirez, a native of New York, said he felt particularly insulted because his grandfather and father, both born in Puerto Rico, had served in the U.S. armed forces. He said his father volunteered for the U.S. Army and fought in Vietnam, where he was exposed to Agent Orange and died of cancer decades later.

Ramirez, a Lakeland resident, is also an Army veteran. He noted that Puerto Ricans are twice as likely to enlist in the military as mainland residents.

‘We are all stunned’

Some prominent Republicans criticized Hinchcliffe’s statements. Senator Rick Scott of Floridaa Republican facing a challenge from Democrat Debbie Mucarsel-Powell, an Ecuadorian-American, posted on social media: “This joke bombed for a reason. It’s not funny and it’s not true. Puerto Ricans are great people and great Americans! I have been to the island many times. It’s a beautiful place. Everyone should visit! I will always do what I can to help every Puerto Rican in Florida or on the island.”

Even the Trump campaign responded to the controversy.

“This joke does not reflect the views of President Trump or the campaign,” senior adviser Danielle Alvarez said in a statement obtained by CNN.

Ana Rivera, founder and president of the Puerto Rican Hispanic Chamber of Commerce of Polk County, said Monday morning that she had heard outrage from many locals about the comedian’s insults at the Trump rally. Rivera is also involved with the League of United Latin American Citizens, a national civil rights organization.

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“I didn’t just listen to friends, family, my MPs and my LULAC members,” Rivera said. “We are all stunned. Some people thought it was funny, and some people understood that it was just an ironic comment. But in these times nothing is ironic.”

Rivera said her father had served in the 65th Infantry in the Korean War, but was unable to vote in the United States presidential elections until the family moved to New York in the 1960s.

“I don’t find anything funny when it comes to demeaning other people — people with disabilities, people from the LGBTQ community, people with autism, seniors,” she said. “I don’t find that funny, because what many people forget is that the blood that flows through our veins has the same color.”

Polk County has an estimated 82,000 residents of Puerto Rican descent, according to 2020 U.S. Census figures. People identified as Hispanic or Latino make up nearly 26% of the population.

Proving Polk County’s connection to Puerto Rico, Avelo Airlines recently added commercial flights to the island from Lakeland Linder International Airport. The first flight to San Juan took off Saturday with nearly 140 customers, Avelo spokesperson Courtney Goff said.

Republican chair pan act

U.S. Rep. Darren Soto, D-Kissimmee, is believed to be the first Florida congressman with Puerto Rican descent. His district includes parts of eastern Polk County.

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“This MAGA attack on Puerto Rico is especially painful given the history of Hurricane Maria,” Soto said in an emailed statement. “The country is about to witness the full voting rights of its nearly six million Puerto Rican diasporaespecially in key states like Pennsylvania, Georgia, North Carolina and Florida.”

Soto took part in an online news conference Monday morning, hosted by the Democratic Hispanic Caucus of Florida, to condemn Hinchcliffe’s statements. Another news conference took place Monday afternoon in Kissimmee, hosted by Alianza for Progress, the Puerto Rican Chamber of Commerce of Central Florida, Florida Rising and other Latino organizations.

Polk County’s three Republican members in the U.S. House of Representatives: Scott Franklin, R-Lakeland; Rep. Laurel Lee, R-Brandon; and Rep. Daniel Webster, R-Clermont — did not respond to requests for comment Monday.

Jim Powers, chairman of the Polk County Republican Party, criticized Hinchcliffe’s routine.

“My only comments are that I agree with Senator Rick Scott that the jokes were unfunny and untrue,” Powers said by email. “Puerto Ricans are great people and great Americans. And I am grateful that so many people in the Hispanic community are finding a welcoming home in the GOP.”

As Powers suggested, the controversy emerged at a time when polls have shown that Trump may draw more votes from Latinos than Republican candidates typically do.

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Ramirez said many Puerto Ricans are politically flexible, and he expects the controversy will sway some of their votes.

“Puerto Ricans of all political backgrounds basically agree and say we shouldn’t let anyone talk to us like that,” he said. “I’ve received countless calls from Republican Puerto Ricans just saying, ‘You know what? That was the straw that broke the camel’s back.’ ”

Gary White can be reached at [email protected] or 863-802-7518. Follow on X @garywhite13.