Trump Rally Comedian Tony Hinchcliffe, Who Joked About Puerto Rico, a Paid DraftKings Promoter

Posted on: October 29, 2024, 08:33h. 

Last updated on: October 29, 2024, 10:25h.

Devin O'Connor @CasinoorgDevinO Read More
Expertise: Asia Pacific Gaming, Commercial Gaming, Legislation, Politics.

The comedian who made jokes this week about Puerto Rico during a rally for former President Donald Trump is a paid spokesperson for one of the country’s largest sports betting and online casino gaming operators.

Trump rally Tony Hinchcliffe Puerto Rico
Comedian Tony Hinchcliffe performs at a rally for Donald Trump and JD Vance on Sunday, Oct. 27, 2024. Hinchcliffe’s jokes about Puerto Rico have been heavily criticized. (Image: Reuters)

The 2024 election is less than a week out, and that’s presumably a good thing, as most Americans have had enough of the nonstop political commercials, social media bickering, and he said/she said news coverage. Case in point — Tony Hinchcliffe’s disparaging comments about Puerto Rico he made while opening Trump’s rally in New York City on Sunday at Madison Square Garden.

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 to mixed reactions from the crowd.

Hinchliffe’s remarks immediately faced backlash and became a rallying cry for Democrats and the Kamala Harris campaign. Despite Trump not making the tasteless joke himself, Democrats seized the moment to cast the former casino tycoon as a foe to the Puerto Rican community. They pointed to allegations that Trump while president delayed $20 billion in aid after Hurricane Maria devastated the island in 2017.  

With just six days remaining until the November 5 election, Trump is the heavy betting favorite to become the 47th president of the United States. On Polymarket, Trump’s shares of winning are trading at implied odds of 66% to Harris at 34%.

Sportsbooks where political betting is allowed have Trump at -180 for implied odds of 64%. Harris is the underdog at +160, or 38%.

DraftKings Pitchman

Trump likely isn’t too pleased for his campaign to be dealing with backlash from a comedian’s jokes at one of his rallies. The controversy seemingly could have been avoided, as Kill Tony, as Hinchcliffe’s weekly podcast is called, is known primarily for being a “roast” comedian who lives around crossing the line of political correctness.

Hinchcliffe’s vulgarity resonates with younger people, especially men, which might be why DraftKings hired him to promote its online sports betting and iGaming businesses. Hinchcliffe regularly promotes DraftKings on his social media channels with marketing ploys that typically include sign-up incentives like bonus bets.

In March, Hinchcliffe posted that he likes to gamble before performing.

“Hey ya’ll, before one of my stand-up shows, you can find me doing one of two things — chain-smoking cigarettes in search for comedy Zen, or betting on college basketball. That’s why I’ve teamed up with the DraftKings Sportsbook.”

DraftKings Reconsidering Partnership 

The promotional link Hinchcliffe has shared to sign up new DraftKings customers is no longer a working URL. The leading iGaming and sportsbook platform says that in the aftermath of Hinchcliffe’s jokes at the Trump rally, the company is reconsidering its partnership with the comedian.

The commentary made by Tony Hinchcliffe does not reflect the views of DraftKings,” the company added in a statement.

During a 2021 standup set in which he went on an anti-Asian rant after an Asian comedian opened for him, Hinchcliffe’s talent agency, Endeavor, dropped him as a client. Hinchcliffe isn’t apologizing for his Puerto Rico jokes.

“I love Puerto Rico and vacation there,” Hinchcliffe wrote on social media. “I made fun of everyone. Watch the whole set. I’m a comedian.”