NEW YORK (WABC) — Elon Musk, Tucker Carlson and Hulk Hogan were among the speakers who took the stage Saturday before former President Trump — but it was a short set from a comedian named Tony Hinchcliffe that drew immediate reactions.

For nearly five hours, a series of speakers fired up the crowd in Madison Square Garden before Trump’s highly anticipated speech.

It was a claim that caused instant vitriol.

“There’s literally a floating island of garbage in the middle of the ocean right now. I think it’s called Puerto Rico,” Hinchcliffe said.

Hinchcliffe is a comedian and podcaster, and his remarks sparked a barrage of criticism. His comments targeted a critical demographic in a very close election.

Analysts anticipate a record 36.2 million Latinos will vote this year – many of them Puerto Ricans living in New York, Florida and Pennsylvania.

Puerto Rican Congressman Ritchie Torres, who represents the Bronx, says he can’t understand how a support rally disparages such a critical segment of voters.

“Puerto Rico is not trash, it’s gorgeous. The people, the island, the culture — everything about Puerto Rico is gorgeous. And insulting the people of Puerto Rico, as the Trump campaign has done, is not just bad morals, it’s bad politics.” Torres said.

More offensive remarks targeted another key voting population. Hinchcliffe leaned in with racist comments about African Americans.

Minutes later, Vice President Kamala Harris’ running mate Tim Walz responded during a campaign streaming event with New York Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio Cortez.

Puerto Rico officials also responded.

Jenniffer Gonzalez, a Republican running for governor of the island, called the comments “despicable, inappropriate and disgusting.”

In Florida, Republican Sen. Rick Scott said: “This joke bombed for a reason. It’s not funny and it’s not true. Puerto Ricans are wonderful people and wonderful Americans.”

On Sunday night, Hinchcliffe came to his own defense. He said, “these people have no sense of humor, I love Puerto Rico and vacation there.”

Former President Trump’s campaign released a statement saying the joke did not reflect the views of President Trump or the campaign.

The Puerto Rican National Day Parade issued a statement saying:

“The Board of Directors of the National Puerto Rican Day Parade condemns the outrageous, racist and misinformed statement about Puerto Rico at the Trump/Vance rally in New York. First, Puerto Rico is a beautiful island whose American citizens make tremendous contributions to it. The country in the military, medicine, science, education, sports and many other disciplines, Puerto Ricans alone have earned more than 2,700 Purple Hearts in defense of the United States.

Our historical and cultural heritage and the beauty of Puerto Rico is not only well documented, but globally recognized. Another 5.8 million US citizens who recognize and embrace their Puerto Rican ancestry live in the states, in crucial voting states like Pennsylvania, Michigan, Georgia and North Carolina. Shockingly, people choose to speak ignorantly about Puerto Rico, throwing out trashy statements. This insult will not diminish who we are or what we stand for, but it should remind us of the critical importance of voting on November 5.”

CLOCK: Bill Ritter and the Eyewitness News team with our Vote 2024 Election Guide.

For more information about what’s on the ballot in New York, New Jersey and Connecticut, please see the Voter Guide.
For election updates, please visit abc7ny.com/vote2024.

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