JD Vance defends controversial Puerto Rico joke: 'We have to stop getting so offended'

Donald Trump's VP pick JD Vance during a campaign stop in Wisconsin, defended a joke made by comedian Tony Hinchcliffe, which referred to Puerto Rico as a "floating island of garbage." The Ohio senator urged the public to focus on what "the American people care the most about," saying that "Americans are sick of the distraction."

Vance also downplayed the significance of the joke, claiming, “I haven't seen it. I'm not going to comment on the specifics of the joke."

"Maybe it's a stupid, racist joke. Maybe it's not. I haven't seen it. I'm not going to comment on the specifics of the joke, but I think that we have to stop getting so offended at every little thing in the United States of America," he said.


Vance's remarks come amid heightened criticism from Democrats, including Vice President Kamala Harris, following Hinchcliffe's comments at a rally for Donald Trump. The comments have been widely condemned as insensitive, particularly in light of the growing Latino voter demographic in key swing states like Pennsylvania.

“I think we as a country... want our candidates to talk about how they're going to solve the people's problems,” he said.


The controversy erupted after comedian Tony Hinchcliffe while opening a rally for Donald Trump at the Madison Square Garden, called Puerto Rico a "floating island of garbage."

Democrats seized on the moment, with Harris branding Trump’s rally as “more vivid than usual,” saying that he “fans the fuel of hate.” In response to the backlash, Trump’s campaign has attempted to distance itself from Hinchcliffe's remarks, which were deemed inappropriate by some party members, including those within the Puerto Rican community.

“The garbage he spoke about is polluting our elections and confirming just how little Donald Trump cares about Latinos specifically, about our Puerto Rican community,” said Eddie Moran, the mayor of Reading, Pennsylvania, during a news conference with other Puerto Rican officials.

Political analysts have warned that such incendiary remarks could jeopardise Trump’s appeal among Puerto Rican voters, a demographic that has been rapidly growing in Pennsylvania. Fernando Tormos-Aponte, an assistant professor at the University of Pittsburgh, told AP, “When you combine the events that took place yesterday with other grievances that Puerto Ricans have, you really are not engaging in sound political strategy.”

The controversy has also prompted a more focused outreach from the Harris campaign, which has released advertisements targeting Puerto Rican voters and highlighting the comedian's remarks. This outreach is especially vital given that Pennsylvania’s Latino eligible voter population has more than doubled since 2000, with Puerto Ricans constituting a significant portion.