By james art
A Madison Square Garden representative responded to criticism after a rally held at the New York arena Sunday night by Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump, where several racial slurs were made.
A spokesperson for MSG Entertainment said The Hollywood Reporter on Monday: “As a business we are neutral on political issues. We rent from both sides. We do not censor artists, performers or speakers.
The event was criticized in part because of lewd and racist comments made by stand-up comedian Tony Hinchcliffe about Latinos, Jews and blacks, all of whom are key voters in the election, which is just over a week away.
“I don’t know if you guys know this, but right now there is literally a floating island of garbage in the middle of the ocean. I think it’s called Puerto Rico,” Hinchcliffe said at the rally.
Hinchcliffe also made a racist joke about a black man in the audience, saying he had “carved watermelons” with the audience member.
Among those criticizing Dolan was actress Ellen Barkin, who posted on X (formerly Twitter) late Sunday night: “Madison Square Garden is owned by James Dolan. Major supporter of Nazi Trump. His accomplice is a certain Irving Azoff. A Jew. Shonda for the goyim if ever he lived. May they suffer the pain of all who suffered at the hands of the Nazi regime.
A source noted that the campaign has leased Madison Square Garden, which for decades has hosted civic and political events featuring elected officials and world leaders, including both the Democratic National Convention and the Republican National Convention. In March, President Joe Biden held an event at Radio City Music Hall, which is owned by the Dolan family, and was attended by former presidents Bill Clinton and Barack Obama.
On Sunday, several Puerto Ricans working in the entertainment industry voiced their support for Trump’s Democratic challenger Kamala Harris, including Bad Bunny, Jennifer Lopez and Ricky Martin, following Hinchcliffe’s remarks.
During his own remarks Sunday night, Trump praised James Dolan, whose family owns Madison Square Garden. (Dolan is also a registered Democrat.)
“I want to thank Jim Dolan,” he said. “He was amazing. He was just amazing. The work they have done. The work they have done. Thank you.”
The two have been friends for more than 30 years. Dolan got married at Trump’s Mar-A-Lago resort in Florida.