Former President Donald Trump refused Tuesday to denounce a campaign event comedian's comment that Puerto Rico is a "floating island of garbage," according to a new report.
Trump denied any responsibility for the racist and vulgar remarks Tony Hinchcliffe made at the former president's rally at Madison Square Garden on Sunday, ABC News reported.
"I don't know him, someone put him up there," Trump told correspondent Rachel Scott. "I don't know who he is."
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Hinchcliffe on Sunday also joked that Latinos “love making babies" and mocked a Black attendee about eating watermelon.
Trump echoed claims made by running mate Sen. J.D. Vance (R-OH) that he hadn't heard the jokes, despite the fact they were told at his own rally and have since appeared in various reports and aired on multiple television stations.
The Republican presidential nominee's campaign has said in a statement “This joke does not reflect the views of President Trump or the campaign.”
The former president has not apologized despite calls from San Juan's archbishop that he do so personally.
Trump used similar language when he denied knowledge of Project 2025, the controversial conservative policy platform whose contributors reportedly include more than 140 people who have worked with him.
"I know nothing about Project 2025," said Trump. "I have no idea who is behind it."