Biden calls Trump's supporters 'garbage'
US President Joe Biden (photo: Getty Images)
With less than a week remaining until the US presidential election, President Joe Biden reportedly referred to supporters of presidential candidate Donald Trump as 'garbage', reports Axios.
The comment came during a video call with the progressive group Voto Latino, where Biden aimed to respond to comedian Tony Hinchcliffe, who referred to Puerto Rico as a garbage island at a Trump rally on Sunday.
"The only garbage I see floating out there is his supporters - his demonization of Latinos is unconscionable, and it's un-American," Biden stated during the call.
Representatives from both the Republican and Democratic parties immediately interpreted this remark as reminiscent of a major misstep by Democratic candidate Hillary Clinton in 2016, when she referred to Trump supporters as a basket of deplorables, sparking outrage among Republicans.
The White House, in turn, clarified that Biden's comments were directed solely at the comedian.
"The only garbage I see floating out there is his supporters," the transcript stated.
When asked whether they had spoken to the president to clarify what he meant before releasing the transcript, a Biden representative requested that this information not be published. The White House also did not respond to that inquiry.
After the publication of this article, a spokesperson informed Axios that staff had indeed spoken with Biden about what he meant before releasing the transcript. The publication requested clarification on the details, but the White House declined to comment.
In turn, Trump associate J.D. Vance described Biden's remarks as disgusting.
"Kamala Harris and her boss Joe Biden are attacking half of the country. There's no excuse for this. I hope Americans reject it," he added.
As the political fallout intensified by the minute, Biden took to X (formerly Twitter) to clarify his remarks.
"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. His demonization of Latinos is unconscionable. That's all I meant to say," the post read.
Meanwhile, Trump's team had already begun fundraising off the comment, sending out a letter with the subject line: "You are not garbage! I love you! You are the best our nation has to offer."
In summary, Axios reports that Biden's comments exemplify why Kamala Harris's team is avoiding campaigning alongside him. There are several other factors to consider:
- Harris's aides told Axios that Biden is unpopular and undisciplined.
- On Tuesday, October 29, Harris delivered her closing argument speech at the White House, but Biden did not appear alongside her, despite being in Washington.
- Harris' aides were frustrated last week too when Biden went to New Hampshire and said that we need to lock up Trump.
- He quickly clarified that he meant to lock up Trump politically, but it attracted headlines the Harris team wanted to avoid.
Relations between US Vice President Kamala Harris's team and President Joe Biden's White House have become increasingly strained in the weeks leading up to the American presidential election.
According to sources from Axios, Biden's team wants Harris to succeed. However, senior aides to the president remain upset that he has been sidelined in the race. As of mid-October, they were still adjusting to their secondary role in the election campaign.
