Tony Hinchcliffe, a comedian and podcaster who generated controversy with racist comments at an October event for now-President Donald Trump, has landed a partnership with Netflix.
Hinchcliffe’s weekly live podcast, “Kill Tony,” which is streamed on YouTube, has a deal for three specials. On April 7, the first special will debut on Netflix after being filmed at The Comedy Mothership in Austin, Texas.
In a press release on Tuesday, March 11, 2025, Hinchcliffe said, “Myself and our entire crew of Austin comedians, peers, and upcomers are excited for the opportunity to share our chaotic, insane show with a whole new chunk of the globe.
“It’s the most improvised and unplanned show available, and the creative freedom Netflix has granted us to maintain the show’s integrity is a comedian’s dream, and we can’t wait to Netflix and Kill.”
A one-hour standup special for Hinchcliffe is also included in the package.
In late October of last year, he received an invitation to start the rally for then-candidate Trump at Madison Square Garden. First, Hinchcliffe attacked Puerto Rico.
According to Hinchcliffe, “a lot is going on, like, I don’t know if you know this, but there’s a floating island of garbage in the middle of the ocean right now.” It’s called Puerto Rico, I believe.
The audience in the arena responded favourably to the line and other derogatory remarks, although the Trump team subsequently made an effort to disassociate itself from them.
Danielle Alvarez, a spokesman for the Trump campaign, told CNN at the time that the joke did not represent the campaign’s or President Trump’s opinions.
Puerto Rican singers Luis Fonsi, Bad Bunny, and others criticised Hinchcliffe’s comments.
“I appreciate people who hold different opinions than I do, and it’s acceptable to have them. But it’s not worth following this discriminatory route,” Fonsi commented on social media.
Netflix hasn’t previously avoided contentious humour.
Netflix CEO Ted Sarandos reaffirmed his support for Dave Chappelle and the comic’s special, “The Closer,” in 2021. As a result of Chappelle’s gags on the trans community, LGBTQ+ advocates, artists, and Netflix staff have criticised the show.
According to Bela Bajaria, Netflix’s Chief Content Officer, the streaming service is amenable to collaborating with a wide variety of talent, following news last month that the streaming service was targeting additional podcasters.
Bajaria stated, “Our responsibility is to ensure that we are aware of the creators who are doing incredible, captivating work and what makes sense for Netflix.
“Some of them might be at a festival that we’re going to find, some might be going to film school right now, and some might be on YouTube.”
