Tony Hinchcliffe was a polarizing figure in stand-up comedy long before his May 2026 appearance on Kevin Hart's roast. Hinchcliffe is a dark humor and insult-based comedian who has found himself in hot water over the years. In 2021, Hinchcliffe used an anti-Asian slur against a Chinese American comedian who opened for him. As a result, Hinchcliffe was dropped from his agency and lost multiple brand deals. Following that scandal, Hinchcliffe was asked to perform at President Donald Trump's 2024 rally in New York City.