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cover of episode Is the Backlash to a Racist Joke Trump’s October Surprise

Is the Backlash to a Racist Joke Trump’s October Surprise

2024/10/30
logo of podcast The Political Scene | The New Yorker

The Political Scene | The New Yorker

Key Insights

Why did Tony Hinchcliffe's joke about Puerto Rico attract significant attention?

It was perceived as racist and offensive, especially in a swing state with a large Puerto Rican population.

How did the Trump campaign respond to Hinchcliffe's joke?

A senior advisor issued a statement distancing the campaign from the remark.

Why did the Archbishop of Puerto Rico demand a personal apology from Trump?

A campaign statement was deemed insufficient to address the offense.

What concerns do Latino Republicans often raise about the Democratic Party?

Issues include crime, safety, charter schools, immigration, and the economy.

Why might the Harris campaign emphasize Trump's racism?

It could shift focus away from their own policy shortcomings and potentially win votes.

Chapters

The fallout from comedian Tony Hinchcliffe's offensive remarks at a Trump rally in Madison Square Garden threatens to shift the balance of the Latino electorate, particularly in swing states like Pennsylvania.
  • Tony Hinchcliffe called Puerto Rico an 'island of garbage' at a Trump rally.
  • The backlash could impact the Latino vote in swing states like Pennsylvania.
  • Trump campaign officials claim the joke does not reflect their views.

Shownotes Transcript

At Donald Trump’s rally at Madison Square Garden this past weekend, the comedian Tony Hinchcliffe called Puerto Rico an “island of garbage.” In the swing state of Pennsylvania, which is home to nearly half a million people of Puerto Rican descent, the fallout from Hinchcliffe’s offensive remarks threatens to shift the balance of the Latino electorate. The *New Yorker *contributing writer Geraldo Cadava joins Tyler Foggatt to discuss the public response to the rally and why the Republican Party has appealed to Latino voters in recent years. “In all of the interviews of Latino Republicans that I’ve done over the past several years, they will point to real concerns they have about crime, safety, charter schools, immigration, the economy that they feel like the Democrats haven’t had an answer for,” Cadava says. 

This week’s reading:

“The Radio Station That Latino Voters Trust),” by Stephania Taladrid

 

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