CV NEWS FEED // President Joe Biden on Tuesday said that supporters of Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump are “garbage” for backing such an “unconscionable” candidate.
The president’s remarks came after insult comic Tony Hinchcliffe made a joke about Puerto Rico being an island of “floating garbage“ during a Trump rally at Madison Square Garden. While numerous conservative Puerto Ricans came forward to say they were not offended by the joke, Democratic operatives claimed it was malicious and tied it to Trump.
Puerto Ricans are “good, decent, honorable people,” Biden said in response to the controversy during a Zoom call with Voto Latino. “The only garbage I see floating out there is his supporters.”
Trump’s “demonization” is “unconscionable,” Biden added. “And it’s un-American.”
Numerous journalists reported Biden’s words about Trump supporters Tuesday evening, including NBC News White House correspondent Gabe Gutierrez.
Conservative organizations and commentators defended Trump supporters against Biden calling them “garbage” and decried the incumbent president’s insult.
The administration later seemed to attempt to walk back the president’s remark.
Gutierrez later Tuesday night reported that a White House spokesperson now claimed Biden was only referring to the comedian.
Biden’s official X (formerly Twitter) account later issued a statement also seemingly designed to downplay what the president had said.
“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,” the account stated. “His demonization of L atinos is unconscionable. That’s all I meant to say.”
However, popular right-leaning X account End Wokeness did not seem to buy the explanation.
“No, you called us garbage. It’s on tape,” the account wrote, enclosing a clip of Biden’s remarks.
Trump sharply criticised Biden’s comment late Tuesday, stating: While I am running a campaign of positive solutions to save America, Kamala Harris is running a campaign of hate.”
“She has spent all week comparing her political opponents to the most evil mass murderers in history,” Trump continued:
Now, on top of everything, Joe Biden calls our supporters “garbage.” You can’t lead America if you don’t love the American People. Kamala Harris and Joe Biden have shown they are both unfit to be President of the United States.
I am proud to lead the biggest, broadest, and most important political coalition in American history. We are welcoming historic numbers of Latinos, African Americans, Asian Americans, and citizens of every race, religion, color, and creed. It is my desire to be the President of all the people.
Biden’s comments also received criticism from members of his own party.
Democratic Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro said in reaction, “I would never insult the good people of Pennsylvania or any Americans even if they chose to support a candidate that I didn’t support.”
A rising star in the Democratic Party, Shapiro was the runner-up to become the party’s 2024 vice-presidential nominee. Democratic nominee Kamala Harris instead selected Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz.