Fact Check: Did Trump's decision to feature Tony Hinchcliffe stem from Joe Rogan's suggestion?

AUSTIN, TEXAS: Two months ago, podcast giant Joe Rogan casually floated the idea of former president Donald Trump taking comedian Tony Hinchcliffe “on the road” to add comedic punchlines to his speeches, as per The Daily Beast.

Rogan’s comments on his show, 'The Joe Rogan Experience,' have stirred speculation about whether Trump’s recent collaboration with Hinchcliffe at a Madison Square Garden rally was a direct result of this recommendation.

However, Rogan’s comment seems more like an offhand suggestion than a strategic collaboration plan.

No evidence to say Trump invited Tony Hinchcliffe on stage in rally on Joe Rogan's recommendation

In an August 14 episode of 'The Joe Rogan Experience,' Rogan shared his thoughts on how Trump might benefit from employing a comedian like Tony Hinchcliffe to inject humor into his public appearances.

According to journalist Jacqueline Sweet, Rogan said, “It would behoove him to hire a few great comics to just tour with him, and just write one-liners about all these different f*****g people. If he could remember them. I know he likes to go off his own head, but if he could remember a few Hinchcliffe bangers. If he hires Hinchcliffe to take him on the road, you know how f*****g insane that would be? Hinchcliffe writing bangers for Trump to s**t on people.”

Rogan’s comment seemed hypothetical, casting the idea as a way for Trump to embrace the humor that has played a significant role in political and public entertainment.

Hinchcliffe, known for his edgy humor, seemed like a potential fit to some, though with an acknowledged risk of controversy.

Rogan’s comments carried no apparent intention of serving as formal advice, but they sparked speculation nonetheless, especially after Trump featured Hinchcliffe at his recent New York rally.

However, there is no evidence whatsoever to officially say that Trump invited Hinchcliffe on stage in a recent rally on Rogan's recommendation.

Hinchcliffe’s set at Madison Square Garden included controversial statements that quickly drew backlash. Notably, his joke labeling Puerto Rico as a “floating island of garbage” did not sit well with audiences across the political spectrum.

Trump campaign vetted Tony Hinchcliffe's prepared jokes before MSG rally

Trump’s campaign distanced itself from the statement, with campaign senior adviser Danielle Alvarez clarifying, “It does not reflect the views of president Trump or the campaign.”

This comment comes shortly after Trump himself stirred controversy by describing the United States as “a garbage can for the world.”

The backlash wasn’t limited to the Trump campaign. Florida Senator Rick Scott criticized Hinchcliffe’s joke as “not funny” and “not true,” while the Harris campaign seized on the moment, highlighting it in a new advertisement contrasting Hinchcliffe’s remark with Vice President Kamala Harris’s recently announced “Puerto Rico Opportunity Economy Task Force.”

According to CBS, a source close to the event confirmed that the Trump campaign vetted Hinchcliffe's prepared jokes but suggested that some of his remarks, including the ones about Puerto Rico, Latinos, and Black people, were improvised.

The campaign also reportedly cut two of Hinchcliffe’s more profane jokes from the final performance. While the campaign managed to rein in some of Hinchcliffe’s edgier content, his unscripted remarks quickly became fodder for political critique.

Hinchcliffe, known for his no-holds-barred comedy style, defended himself on social media. Responding to critics, including Democratic Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and Vice-Presidential candidate Tim Walz, he posted on X (formerly Twitter): “These people have no sense of humour… I love Puerto Rico and vacation there. I made fun of everyone… watch the whole set.”