Ohio Sen. J.D. Vance dismissed criticism following racist comments made by comedian Tony Hinchcliffe at a Trump rally in New York, suggesting Americans should “stop getting so offended.” Vance, who hadn’t heard the remarks firsthand, emphasized that he didn’t believe the jokes warranted media attention, calling them a distraction from core campaign issues.
Hinchcliffe’s routine, which included disparaging comments about Puerto Rico, drew bipartisan backlash, with Trump’s campaign distancing itself from the comedian’s words. Vance doubled down, urging Americans to “take a joke” and avoid getting “offended at every little thing.”
In contrast, Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla., voiced solidarity with Puerto Ricans, calling them “fellow American citizens” and acknowledging the offensive nature of the remarks. Meanwhile, Grammy-winning singer Marc Anthony condemned Trump’s past handling of Puerto Rico, expressing support for Vice President Kamala Harris’s campaign.
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