His hate disguised as comedy was neither funny nor a joke.

I am Puerto Rican and my territory is not a “floating island of garbage.” But people who think that way are, even if they do so under the guise of humor.

When comedian Tony Hinchcliffe took the stage at Madison Square Garden in New York City on Sunday for a MAGA rally in support of Donald Trump’s presidential campaign, he didn’t just cross a line — he erased it entirely. What he called “humor” was a continuous stream of racist insults and dangerous conspiracy theories, from stereotypes about Latinos having multiple babies to the “great replacement theory,” the ideology behind violent hate crimes committed by white men. against communities of color. This is not a joke. It’s a weapon, and I’m fucking tired of being targeted, and so are the rest of my people.

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Growing up Puerto Rican and African American, I realized early on that I stood out among many of my classmates and neighbors. I learned to be proud of my roots and to believe that America was a place where everyone, despite their differences, belonged. But that notion has changed dramatically as I’ve grown older and witnessed the rise of Trump and the MAGA movement, which casts people who look like me as the villains of a story we’ve never written. This change has forced me, and many other Latinos, to confront a painful reality: in today’s United States, we have become scapegoats in a narrative of fear, blamed and vilified to suit a political agenda.

Being labeled an “invader” or “alien” is more than just an insult. It is a form of dehumanization that undermines the sense of belonging. Hearing those words repeated in speeches, on social networks and in public policies not only hurts, but it scares. It is one thing when the words come from a stranger, but another when they come from a podium, wrapped in a supposed seal of patriotism.

When Hinchcliffe responded to criticism of his performance in It’s crazy that a vice presidential candidate would take time out of his “busy schedule” to analyze a joke taken out of context to make it appear racist. I love Puerto Rico and vacationing there. I made fun of everyone…watch the full set. “I’m a comedian, Tim… maybe it’s time to change your tampon.”

Are you on vacation in Puerto Rico? You could also say that you can’t be racist because you have a black friend. And the context? Hinchcliffe placed himself firmly at the center of this “context.” These were not “jokes”. It was hostility disguised as comedy, expressed with the arrogance of someone who doesn’t understand, or care, how these words impact real life. These words not only hurt Latinos; They impact all marginalized communities. When a group is vilified, it sets the precedent that any group can be attacked. The anti-immigrant sentiment espoused by Trump and echoed by his supporters sends the message loud and clear: When people show you who they are, believe them.

Today it is the Puerto Ricans. Tomorrow it will be the Mexicans again. A few weeks ago, it was Haitians who ate dogs and cats. The strength of America, at least the version of America I thought I knew, has always come from the diversity of its people. We are allowing hate disguised as comedy, or outright hate, to take the reins. I beg you to reject it.

And here’s a harsh reminder, Tony: More than 4,000 Puerto Ricans died after Hurricane Maria due to the Trump administration’s botched response. That wasn’t a punchline. It was negligence that turned into a tragedy. Your supposed “comedy” does not exempt you from the damage caused by your message tonight that you normalize and perpetuate. It will be played on loop at every MAGA party (I’m sure you’ll attend) and we don’t expect you to apologize. You never do.

People who know “Kill Tony” may remember May 2021. Hinchcliffe found his way into the eye of the “cancel culture” storm. A racial slur hurled at fellow comedian and Asian-American Peng Dang during a concert in Austin, Texas, catapulted him into a whirlwind of backlash. The incident, caught on video and widely circulated on Twitter, led to Hinchcliffe being fired from his talent agency, WME.

He doubled down further in October 2023, when he stirred the pot further by appearing on the controversial far-right YouTube show “TRIGGERnometry,” where conspiracy theories are thrown around like popcorn. This time, he described Dang as “a Chinese spy,” claiming the incident was “an attack orchestrated by the Chinese media.”

When hate is celebrated under the guise of humor, its roots only deepen.

It doesn’t have to be like this. If we refuse to accept this hate as “just politics” or “just jokes,” we can find a way back to each other. Nobody tries to stifle the comedy. I am an advocate for this art form, but we must hold leaders, artists, and everyday people accountable for their words and actions.

In the next election, we have a choice. We can let Tony feel “vindicated” and be right about the picture he so wrongly painted tonight, allowing hate to shape his decisions. Or we can choose compassion, understanding and unity. We can reject the politics of division and work to close the gaps between us instead of building walls that separate us.

I remember something comedian Anthony Jeselnik said last year on Theo Von’s “This Past Weekend” podcast, when he said: “All these comedians now think that almost the goal is to get in trouble. ‘I’m a comedian. I’m allowed to say whatever I want.’ “That’s wrong.”

Jeselnik then quotes Andy Warhol: “Art has its way.” If people are angry, then you didn’t get your way.

So no, Tony, I don’t think you’ll get away with this.

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