Trump tells ABC’s Scott he didn’t hear Puerto Rican comedian’s comment, but doesn’t condemn him

Tony Hinchcliffe’s comments about Puerto Rico at Madison Square Garden are felt in Pennsylvaniaa key battleground where a significant number of Puerto Rican voters reside.

Michael Rivera, a Republican who grew up in Puerto Rico and serves on the Berks County Board of Commissioners, condemned the joke in a statement to ABC News Monday night, calling it “not only appalling, but deeply disrespectful.”

“Such comments ignore the value of a people with a rich cultural heritage and the significant contributions of Puerto Ricans to the United States,” he added.

Rivera said he “appreciates the Trump campaign’s decision to distance itself from (Hinchcliffe’s) comments,” but he told ABC News that a statement from Trump himself would “go a long way” to appease Puerto Rican voters upset by the joke.

Rivera said he remains committed to voting for Trump, citing his history. However, he said some members of his community were considering changing their vote after Hinchcliffe’s comment.

– ABC News’ Will McDuffie