Biden offers cryptic comment about taking Tony Hinchcliffe 'for a swim'
President Biden offered a cryptic comment Tuesday seemingly referring to a comedian’s recent racist comments about Puerto Rico at a former President Trump rally over the weekend.
“For years I’ve been saying it’s not enough just to rebuild America, we have to build it back better and stronger than before,” Biden said in Baltimore, where he promoted efforts by his administration to lower inflation, fight against climate change effects and build infrastructure.
“That's why, today, I’m proud to announce we're delivering $3 billion in funding from my Inflation Reduction Act to help clean up and modernize ports in 27 different states and territory. From Pennsylvania, Georgia, Michigan and beyond, including, yes, Puerto Rico.”
“[I’d like to] take that guy for a swim out there,” the president added, not clarifying whom he was talking about, resulting in laughter from a crowd.
The president’s words come two days after comedian Tony Hinchcliffe made derogatory comments about the island at a rally for former President Trump.
“There’s a lot going on. Like, I don’t know if you know this, but 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 at the rally at Madison Square Garden in New York City.
Hinchcliffe’s targeting of Puerto Rico quickly resulted in backlash from politicians on both sides of the aisle, and a Trump campaign senior adviser has said the “joke does not reflect the views of President Trump or the campaign.”
However, Hinchcliffe also defended himself in a post on the social platform X responding to criticism from Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, the Democratic nominee for vice president and Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.).
“These people have no sense of humor,” Hinchcliffe wrote Sunday. “Wild that a vice presidential candidate would take time out of his ‘busy schedule’ to analyze a joke taken out of context to make it seem racist.”
“I love Puerto Rico and vacation there,” he continued. “I made fun of everyone…watch the whole set. I’m a comedian Tim…might be time to change your tampon.”
The Hill has reached out to Hinchcliffe and the Trump campaign.