Selena Gomez criticizes Tony Hinchcliffe's Puerto Rico 'garbage' joke: ' I want to stand by my people'
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: Selena Gomez spoke out against comedian Tony Hinchcliffe's recent joke about Puerto Rico made during Donald Trump’s rally at Madison Square Garden.
Hinchcliffe’s remark, likening Puerto Rico to “a floating island of garbage,” has been met with widespread criticism from stars, activists, and the public alike.
Selena Gomez’s statement and voting advocacy
Selena Gomez, known for her cultural advocacy and political involvement, shared her disapproval in an interview with Variety.
The 32-year-old singer voiced her strong disagreement with Tony Hinchcliffe’s comments, stating, “[I] strongly disagreed with any comments that were made recently.”
“I definitely want to stand by my people,” she added.
Born in Texas with Mexican roots, Gomez has frequently used her platform to champion causes that resonate with her community.
Recently, she posted a video encouraging her followers to vote, emphasizing the impact of each vote. “People can sometimes forget that one vote can change everything,” Gomez noted.
Gomez took the opportunity to remind her fans to vote while attending the Los Angeles premiere of 'Wizards Beyond Waverly Place', proudly displaying her “I Voted” sticker on a matching red clutch.
Her message resonated with her 58.2 million TikTok followers, urging them, “IT’S TIME TO GO VOTE!!!”
This election marks Gomez’s second time voting in a presidential election.
In 2020, she admitted it was her first time casting a vote, having previously felt that her ballot “didn’t count” as a Democrat in a blue state.
Her recent advocacy underscores her belief in the power of every vote, even acknowledging that doubt can discourage others from voting.
“Some people get in their head, and they’re like, ‘Oh, well what does it matter?’” she shared with Vogue.
Broader celebrity backlash over Tony Hinchcliffe’s comments
Tony Hinchcliffe’s joke at Donald Trump’s Madison Square Garden rally, which he made while mocking celebrity Democrats, has generated an outpouring of support for Puerto Rico from various stars, including Jennifer Lopez, Bad Bunny, and Ricky Martin.
Known for his offbeat, provocative humor, Hinchcliffe’s comment quickly went viral, with many deeming it offensive and insensitive towards Puerto Rico, an island grappling with economic hardship, natural disasters, and limited political representation, according to Daily Mail.
Donald Trump says he has 'no idea' who Tony Hinchcliffe is
In a recent interview with Fox News, Donald Trump responded to questions regarding Tony Hinchcliffe’s controversial remarks at the New York City rally.
However, the 78-year-old politician insisted he had no prior knowledge of Hinchcliffe or his involvement in the event, stating, “I have no idea who he is."
"Somebody said there was a comedian that joked about Puerto Rico, or something, and I have no idea who it was. I never saw him, never heard of him, and don’t want to hear of him,” said Trump.
The Republican presidential nominee also emphasized that it’s common for rally organizers to include comedians, noting, “They put a comedian in, which everybody does… you don’t vet them and go crazy.”
