President Biden stirred controversy on Tuesday night. He made comments about Trump supporters during a virtual campaign call led by Vice President Kamala Harris, who was addressing voters at the Ellipse outside the White House.
Biden criticized a Trump rally in Madison Square Garden, referencing offensive jokes by comedian Tony Hinchcliffe. One joke insulted Puerto Rico, calling it a "floating island of garbage." Biden replied, "The only garbage I see floating out there is his supporters." He continued, "His demonization of Latinos is unconscionable and it is un-American."
The backlash was immediate and severe. Republican vice presidential nominee JD Vance said, "This is disgusting. Kamala Harris and her boss Joe Biden are attacking half of the country." He urged Americans to reject such remarks.
Senator Tom Cotton added, "Kamala Harris was deeply outraged by a comedian’s joke. If she has any decency or integrity, she will condemn her partner Joe Biden’s despicable statement calling half the country garbage." CNN contributor Scott Jennings chimed in, "Woof. Calls half the country ‘garbage’ while Harris speaks."
Josh Holmes, co-host of the Ruthless podcast, remarked, "Well there he is. So outraged by Tony the comedian that the sitting president borrows the garbage characterization to apply it to half of America." Joe Concha from Fox News noted, "Just amazing that Biden managed to completely step on Kamala's speech in the worst way possible."
Trump responded to Biden's comment during a rally in Allentown, Pennsylvania. "Remember Hillary? She said ‘deplorable'… But ‘garbage’? I think is worse," Trump told his supporters. "But he doesn't know—please forgive him. For he not knoweth what he said." He joked, "I'm convinced he likes me more than he likes Kamala."
Biden later attempted to clarify his comments on social media. He wrote, "Earlier today I referred to the hateful rhetoric about Puerto Rico spewed by Trump's supporter at his Madison Square Garden rally as garbage—which is the only word I can think of to describe it." He insisted, "His demonization of Latinos is unconscionable. That's all I meant to say."
A White House spokesperson previously stated, "The President referred to the hateful rhetoric at the Madison Square Garden rally as ‘garbage.’" Meanwhile, the Harris campaign did not respond to requests for comment.
Biden's remarks sharply contrasted with Harris's message at her rally. She pledged, "I am not looking to score political points. I am looking to make progress." Harris emphasized her commitment to listening to all voices, saying, "Unlike Donald Trump, I don't believe people who disagree with me are the enemy. He wants to put them in jail. I'll give them a seat at the table."