It’s important that Trump personally apologize for the comedian’s comments

Roberto González Nieves, the archbishop of San Juan de Puerto Rico, called on former President Trump to personally apologize for comedian Tony Hinchcliffe’s joke comparing Puerto Rico to a “floating island of garbage.”

In an “open letter” addressed to the former president, the archbishop said he had “consulted with my brother bishops of Puerto Rico” and was “disturbed and appalled” by Hinchcliffe’s joke, which the controversial comedian delivered Sunday at an upcoming Trump rally in Madison Square. -Garden. speeches of the Republican presidential candidate.

“I urge you, Mr. Trump, to disavow these comments as reflecting in any way your personal or political views,” the letter said. “It’s not enough for your campaign to apologize. It is important that you personally apologize for these comments.”

Hinchcliffe, who goes by the name Kill Tony, faced significant backlash from political figures after making the joke. His set also included jokes about Jews and black men, but it was his comments about Puerto Rico that drew the most attention and criticism.

“There’s a lot going on. Like, I don’t know if you know this, but there’s literally an island of trash floating in the middle of the ocean right now. I think it’s called Puerto Rico,” Hinchcliffe said on stage Sunday, drawing mixed reactions from the audience. The comedian also defended his statements during the review.

The Archbishop strongly denied Hinchcliffe’s remarks in his open letter.

“Puerto Rico is not a floating island of garbage. Puerto Rico is a beautiful country inhabited by beautiful and noble people, which is why in Spanish it is called “un encanto, un edén,” he wrote. “During the Vietnam War, more Puerto Rican soldiers died in the U.S. military than soldiers from any state in the United States.”

“I like a good joke,” Gonzalez Nieves continued. “However, humor has its limits. It must not insult or degrade the dignity and sanctity of people. Hinchcliffe’s remarks evoke not only sinister laughter, but also hatred.”

He added: “Such statements should not be part of the political discourse of a civilized society.”

The Hill reached out to the Trump campaign for a response.

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