2 weeks Ago
DALLAS — A Texas-based comedian's punchlines at a Madison Square Garden Trump rally drew criticism from around the country and from a fellow comedian who has been the target of the same racist vitriol before. "When people reach out for comment I say you can quote me two words - told ya," said Peng Dang. The standup comic was talking about a 2021 encounter with fellow comedian Tony Hinchcliffe who was one of the opening acts for the New York Trump rally.
Hinchcliffe's jokes Sunday ranged from the birth rates of Latinos to the debunked "eating dogs and cats" controversy in Ohio and to a swipe at the island nation of Puerto Rico . "There's literally a floating island of garbage in the middle of the ocean right now. I think it's called Puerto Rico," he said to a mix of laughter a groans from the crowd.
Condemnation was swift. "It is absolutely something that is intended to and is fanning the fuel of trying to divide our country," said Vice President Kamala Harris. "It's the same type of rhetoric and hate that we've been seeing before.
And it sometimes works," said LULAC Past National President Domingo Garcia. Peng Dang's encounter with Hinchcliffe was at a show in Austin . After finishing his set Dang was asked to introduce Hinchcliffe as the next act.
Hinchcliffe began his set with several epithets and slurs targeted at Dang's Asian heritage. "When this happened I wasn't surprised," Dang said of the Madison Square Garden appearance. "He's been consistent with what he does and what he says.
" Republicans have even disavowed the Trump comedian. "Disgusted by Tony Hinchcliffe's racist comment," Florida GOP Rep. Maria Elvira Salazar wrote on X .
"This rhetoric does not reflect GOP values." A Trump campaign spokesperson also issued a written statement that said "This joke does not reflect the views of President Trump or the campaign." The Harris campaign posted a social media video of vice presidential candidate Tim Walz and Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio Cortez watching and reacting, with disgust, to Hinchcliffe's comedy set.
Hinchcliffe responded on social media by writing: "I love Puerto Rico and vacation there. I made fun of everyone..
.watch the whole set. I'm a comedian Tim.
..might be time to change your tampon.
" "Freedom of speech is not freedom from consequences," Peng Dang added. "Like, you can say whatever you want but be ready for people's reaction." Residents of Puerto Rico are n ot allowed to vote in general elections in the United States .
But the comments, and condemnation from the likes of Jennifer Lopez, Bad Bunny, and Ricky Martin, could influence Latino votes and the votes of Americans with Puerto Rican heritage. "I do think that type of rhetoric is starting to get there and that Harris is going to pile up her lead in Wisconsin, Pennsylvania, Arizona, and Nevada and I think that might push her over the top and Latinos are going to come back in the Democrat Party," added Domingo Garcia..
