Staff Reports
Donald Trump transformed Madison Square Garden into a fortress of MAGA enthusiasm during his recent rally. The venue wasn’t just packed; it overflowed with supporters ready to cheer on the former president as the final stretch of the 2024 election approaches. If Trump had hoped for a standing ovation, he could have easily filled the arena for three consecutive nights. The crowd consisted not just of rank-and-file supporters, but also a parade of influencers from the MAGA corner of the political landscape, all revving up energy for the looming polling day.
Amidst the excitement, a speaker at the event, comedian Tony Hinchcliffe, reportedly claimed that Puerto Rico was akin to a floating pile of garbage. This led to a predictably hysterical backlash from the left, who, in true form, framed the rally as a neo-Nazi convention. The nuance of the situation, however, was lost as the media storm painted Trump and his supporters as racists and bigots. But let’s be honest: it was a joke, referencing an ongoing issue on the island, not a call to arms for an Aryan brotherhood.
Btw — Trump's MSG rally opening act calling Puerto Rico a 'floating island of garbage' was just the tip of the iceberg. He also said: 'And these Latinos, they love making babies too. Just know that. They do. They do. There’s no pulling out. They don’t do that. They come inside.… pic.twitter.com/RAaBqzwNtq
— Notorious VOG (@NotoriousVOG) October 28, 2024
Michael Shellenberger, an independent journalist, quickly dismantled the liberal narrative that erroneously labeled the humor as racism. He reminded everyone that the media has previously reported, and indeed continues to report, on Puerto Rico’s chronic garbage management problems. One laughable aspect of this melodramatic coverage is the irony that the same outlets contributing to this faux outrage had documented the situation years ago. So, the outrage seems less about Puerto Rico’s issues and more about redirecting rage towards Trump and his followers.
Critics of the rally’s characterization include Holocaust survivor Jerry Wartski, who expressed his disdain for anyone who uses the specter of Hitler to malign Trump without cause. Wartski’s words resonate deeply, as he points out that such falsehoods undermine legitimate discussions about hate crimes and discrimination. Wartski, along with a diverse gathering of attendees—including individuals of various races and religions—stood united against such accusations. Even British podcaster Konstantin Kisin painted a vibrant picture of camaraderie among attendees, highlighting expressions of support for Israel that were met with fervent applause. The rally starkly contradicted the left’s portrayal of it as a gathering of extremists.
To add fuel to fire, the media’s lack of credibility over Puerto Rico’s litter problem is historically documented. Over the years, headlines from major news outlets have consistently chronicled the island’s struggle with waste management. Articles from 2007 to 2022 showcased that Puerto Rico’s landfill issues didn’t magically sprout overnight, but are instead the product of years—if not decades—of mismanagement and ineffectiveness at all levels of government. The reality remains: Puerto Rico’s administration has habitually failed to fix a burgeoning garbage crisis, a crisis that doesn’t shy away from comedic jabs.
In the end, the left’s desperate attempts to link Trump with Nazism fall flat, particularly in light of well-documented facts and the very real, ongoing problems Puerto Rico faces with waste management. It begs the question of why the liberal media continues to hurl baseless accusations, all while raising skepticism towards their narrative. By creating controversies out of thin air, they play into the hands of their critics, leading many to simply tune out the incessant noise, realizing it’s much easier to debunk their fabrications than it is to uphold their claims.
