JD Vance Responds to Puerto Rico Backlash: “We Have to Stop Getting so Offended at Every Little Thing”

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JD Vance, the GOP vice presidential candidate, is responding to recent criticism over offensive remarks made at a Trump rally at Madison Square Garden. The rally stirred controversy after comedian Tony Hinchcliffe’s comment referring to Puerto Rico as a “floating island of garbage” was widely condemned, even by some Republicans. Vance, however, dismissed the backlash, urging Americans to stop getting “offended at every little thing,” a sentiment he echoed at campaign stops in Wisconsin.

Trump Rally Sparks Heated Reactions

The Wassau rally, a packed event in New York, was intended to enlist support just days before the election. Former President Donald Trump drew significant attendance, but the focus quickly shifted to Hinchcliffe’s inflammatory joke about Puerto Rico. Democratic leaders, including VP nominee Tim Walz and former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, openly criticized the event. Walz, attending campaign events in Wisconsin, compared the rally’s tone to infamous pro-Nazi rallies held in the same venue, drawing parallels that added to the intensity of the backlash. The Trump campaign, for its part, distanced itself from Hinchcliffe's remarks, with representatives asserting the joke did not represent Trump’s or the campaign's stance.

This rally also saw references to VP Kamala Harris, with some speakers labeling her the “anti-Christ.” These comments, along with Hinchcliffe’s joke, fed into a broader narrative of divisive language, which some Democrats have argued exemplifies Trump's rhetoric.

JD Vance's Response: “Stop Getting So Offended”

On Monday in Wisconsin, JD Vance, facing questions about the rally’s tone, dismissed the uproar as a distraction. Speaking in Wausau and Racine, Vance insisted that the rally was a celebration of American pride and dismissed the notion that jokes including tose aimed at Puerto Rico would impact the campaign’s success. “I haven’t actually seen the joke,” Vance admitted, but emphasized his frustration with what he sees as an overly sensitive public reaction to comedic material. “We have to stop getting so offended at every little thing,” Vance stated, adding that the issues affecting Americans, like inflation and high grocery prices, were more pressing than an isolated joke about Puerto Rico and immigrants in general.

Expanding on this point, Vance argued that Americans are more concerned with economic issues than with what comedians say about Puerto Rico. In Racine, he said, “I’m a hell of a lot more offended that my fellow Americans can’t afford to buy groceries or pay their credit card debt.” He dismissed the joke as “not news worth making” and encouraged voters to focus on what he describes as more significant issues, like securing the economy and addressing inflation.

A Rallying Cry in Wausau

Earlier in Wausau, Vance underscored his perspective, framing the rally as a positive show of patriotism. “A lot of fun,” he said, noting that his primary focus is on bringing back “common-sense economic policies.” Vance also criticized VP Harris’s response to the event, accusing her of demonizing Trump supporters. In Vance’s view, comparing attendees to Nazis or fascists was an insult to Americans proud of their heritage and values. “How dare Kamala Harris call her fellow citizens racists for not wanting their communities overwhelmed with fentanyl?” he asked. This remark drew applause from supporters, many of whom believe the focus should remain on the economy and immigration rather than isolated, offensive comments.

The GOP’s Larger Campaign Strategy

With only a week until Election Day, both campaigns are prioritizing swing states like Wisconsin, where each vote could sway the outcome. Vance’s dismissive stance on the backlash could be part of a broader GOP strategy to shift focus away from social controversies and return it to economic challenges. This resonates with many in the Trump base, especially those who feel misrepresented by mainstream media narratives.

Meanwhile, Harris, who will be rallying in Madison later this week, has consistently highlighted the risks she sees in Trump’s rhetoric, calling out what she describes as divisive and inflammatory tactics. Her campaign sees this as a critical stance on preserving social harmony, even as Vance and other GOP leaders maintain that economic issues are the top priority.

Puerto Rico Backlash: Stop Being So Offended

Vance’s remarks underscore the GOP’s approach of deflecting criticism by addressing broader concerns. As Election Day approaches, both parties are doubling down on their messages, with Democrats focusing on social unity and Republicans emphasizing economic recovery. Vance’s Wausau and Racine rallies illustrate the GOP’s strategy: to reinforce Trump’s policies and paint critiques as distractions from real issues. Whether this strategy proves effective in wooing undecided voters remains to be seen, but it’s clear that both sides are in a fierce race for control of the narrative. In short, don’t be offended with jokes about Puerto Rico. There are bigger issues at hand.

Do you agree with JD Vance’s stance that we should focus on economic issues rather than offensive  jokes about Puerto Rico? Tell us how you felt at the GOPs rally in New York over the weekend.

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