As the election comes to a close, it is no secret that New Jersey is expected to go solidly for Kamala Harris, barring a GOP-led miracle. However, following a recent Trump rally at MSG, which was rife with controversy, the balance of NJ’s 14 electoral votes might be more lopsided than expected in favor of the Democratic Party.
The rally featured hours of speakers, including the former President, many of which tapped into some voters’ largest fears, including immigration, the economy, LGBT rights and more.
Despite the litany of guests such as Hulk Hogan, who offered little more than a cartoonish assessment of identity politics, or the semi-serious Stephen Miller, who made impassioned statements like “America is for Americans and Americans only” when talking about immigration, no speaker has garnered more press coverage than comedian Tony Hinchcliffe.
Hinchcliffe rose to prominence in the less-front-facing world of roast comedy, where he has, throughout his career, latched on to the coattails of controversy to stay relevant. And while it is rather easy to pass off problematic remarks as jokes when you are a comedian, it becomes a bit too real when those same “jokes” are made at a political rally.
“There is literally a floating pile of garbage in the middle of the ocean right now. I think it’s called ‘Puerto Rico,’” said Hinchcliffe to a ripple of awkward laughs as he addressed immigration. Puerto Rico is, of course, a part of the US.
500,000 Puerto Ricans live in New Jersey, many of whom immediately voiced their discontent with such a comment. New Jersey’s Legislative Latino Caucus put out the following statement: “The disgusting, despicable and racist remarks targeting Puerto Ricans and others made by comedian Tony Hinchcliffe at the New York campaign rally for Donald Trump are unacceptable at a campaign event or any other public forum. As American citizens, Puerto Ricans have served this country with honor and dignity for several decades, have given their lives on foreign fields and have long strived towards the American Dream, paying their taxes and exercising their right to vote. Any attempt to have these contributions tarnished by the repugnant remarks made by a comedian in an attempt to win votes is beyond abhorrent; it goes against everything America stands for.”
Dozens of Republicans across the US were quick to denounce the comments, including members of the Trump team, swiftly stating that Hinchcliffe’s comments were not representative of the campaign. But, many are not so sure it’s that easy to separate the campaign from what is said by a vetted guest at a rally hosted by said campaign.
Hinchliffe made other disparaging remarks about Latinos as a blanket community, as well as black Americans, and even Taylor Swift. The question now is this: Will comments made at the MSG rally have political implications for New Jersey, or do the majority of people have their minds made up? NJ is expected to go blue, but by how much is still yet to be seen.