Sen. JD Vance addressed the inflammatory remarks made by comedian Tony Hinchcliffe at his running mate’s rally in New York City, stating that he had not heard the racist jokes but believes Americans need to stop being so easily offended. Vance expressed that he is tired of people becoming upset over jokes and that individuals should simply choose not to laugh if they find a joke offensive. He reaffirmed his belief that the comedian’s remarks would not impact former President Donald Trump’s chances of winning the upcoming election. Democratic vice presidential nominee Kamala Harris criticized Trump’s rally, accusing him of focusing on grievances and dividing the country but has not labeled his voters as Nazis.
The comedian’s jokes at the rally, particularly the one about Puerto Rico, drew bipartisan criticism and outrage. Hinchcliffe made insensitive remarks about Puerto Rico, a battleground state with a substantial Puerto Rican population, which led to Trump’s campaign disassociating themselves from the comedian’s comments. Despite this, Vance dismissed the controversy as a distraction from the real issues facing the country. He emphasized the importance of addressing the people’s problems rather than getting caught up in jokes and distractions. Vance urged Americans to have a sense of humor and focus on winning the upcoming election instead of being offended by every little thing.
While top Trump ally Sen. Marco Rubio acknowledged that the comedian’s jokes were offensive, he defended Puerto Rico as the home of fellow American citizens who have made significant contributions to the country. Rubio pointed out that the remarks were made by the comedian and not Trump himself. The controversy surrounding Hinchcliffe’s routine comes shortly after Trump’s comments likening the United States to a garbage can in the context of immigration. Grammy-winning singer Marc Anthony, who is of Puerto Rican descent and supports Harris, criticized Trump’s treatment of Puerto Rico during his presidency, recalling his response to Hurricane Maria and the lack of support for the island’s recovery efforts.
Vance highlighted the need to maintain a sense of humor and not get offended by every little thing, urging people to take jokes in stride and focus on the bigger picture. He recounted an incident where someone was offended by a joke made by comedian George Lopez at a Harris rally and emphasized the need to relax and not take everything so seriously. Vance stressed the importance of addressing key issues facing the nation and working towards restoring the greatness of American civilization without getting bogged down by distractions. He called for a more light-hearted approach to political discourse and emphasized the importance of winning the election in the remaining days leading up to it.
In the midst of the controversy over Hinchcliffe’s jokes, Vance positioned himself as a candidate who is focused on addressing the real concerns of the people and solving the country’s problems. He sought to downplay the impact of the comedian’s remarks on the election and suggested that Americans should be more resilient in the face of offensive jokes. Vance’s stance on the issue aligned with his emphasis on moving past distractions and focusing on achieving positive outcomes for the nation. The controversy surrounding the comedian’s set at the rally served as a backdrop for larger discussions about political discourse, humor, and the importance of maintaining perspective in the midst of controversy.
