**Joe Rogan Defends Tony Hinchliffe's Controversial Puerto Rico Joke Amid Backlash**

Joe Rogan has come to the defense of comedian Tony Hinchliffe after the latter’s controversial joke about Puerto Rico made during a recent Donald Trump rally at Madison Square Garden. Rogan, while acknowledging the offensive nature of the joke, argued that it originated from Hinchliffe’s concern for environmental issues.

The backlash began after Hinchliffe referred to Puerto Rico as a “floating island of garbage” during his appearance at the politically charged event. This remark triggered responses from notable Puerto Rican figures, including Jennifer Lopez and Bad Bunny, who expressed their discontent and extended their support to Vice President Kamala Harris. Jennifer Lopez is even expected to join Harris at a rally in Las Vegas.

In the latest episode of "The Joe Rogan Experience," Rogan provided his perspective on the scandal. He explained that Hinchliffe’s joke was a reference to Puerto Rico’s severe waste management problems, drawing parallels to the infamous Pacific Garbage Patch. Rogan stated, "Tony is actually obsessed with the Pacific Garbage Patch... So there's this landfill in Puerto Rico that's way overflowed... that's where the joke came from."

According to the Environmental Protection Agency, Puerto Rico’s 3.2 million residents produce nearly a tonne of trash annually, with less than 10 percent being recycled due to limited infrastructure. This has led to the island’s landfill sites nearing their maximum capacity.

Rogan, despite standing by Hinchliffe’s intention, admitted he had previously cautioned the comedian about the potential repercussions of such a joke. "I didn't know what bits he was going to do... I was like, 'Oh, Jesus, Tony. Here it comes,'" Rogan recounted, adding that he would have strongly advised against telling the joke if given the chance.

Although Rogan finds the joke effective in comedy clubs, he acknowledged that it could be hurtful to Puerto Ricans. "It's just like, if you're Puerto Rican and you hear that in the audience, you're like [groans]. But it's a funny joke. The joke does well," he said.

The controversial joke has attracted criticism from Democrats, Latino celebrities, and the Puerto Rican community, who deem it overtly racist. In response, Trump has tried to distance himself from Hinchliffe, claiming ignorance of the comedian. Meanwhile, in an unusual attempt to counteract the situation, Trump donned an orange high-visibility vest and posed in a MAGA-branded garbage truck, mockingly dedicating it to Kamala Harris and Joe Biden during his Wisconsin rally.

The stunt is seen as ironic, given Trump’s recent habit of describing the entire United States as a “garbage can” in his campaign speeches. The debate over Hinchliffe’s joke continues to spark discussions about the appropriateness of politically charged comedy.