President Biden became involved in the campaign to succeed him by addressing Latino activists on a video call, where he appeared to refer to former President Donald Trump’s supporters as “garbage.” This comment was in response to a joke made by comedian Tony Hinchcliffe at a Trump rally, where Hinchcliffe called Puerto Rico a “floating island of garbage.” The White House later clarified that Mr. Biden was actually denouncing Hinchcliffe and his joke, not Trump supporters. This incident sparked backlash from Republicans, with Senator Marco Rubio demanding an apology from the president.
The White House released a transcript of Mr. Biden’s comments, which stated that he was condemning the hateful rhetoric at the rally and not the supporters themselves. The president emphasized that his statement was directed at the demonization of Latinos, which he deemed as un-American. Trump responded by comparing Biden’s comments to Hillary Clinton’s “basket of deplorables” remark from the 2016 campaign. The controversy surrounding Biden’s words and the subsequent attempts to clarify them highlight the divisive nature of the final days of the campaign.
Despite the fallout from his comments, President Biden sought to clarify his intentions later in the day. He stated that the hateful rhetoric at the Trump rally was the only “garbage” he was referring to, emphasizing that it did not reflect the values of the nation. The incident overshadowed Vice President Kamala Harris’s closing argument for the campaign, where she warned against electing Trump and pledged to work with all Americans to improve lives. Harris’s aides did not respond to requests for comment on the issue.
Tony Hinchcliffe’s offensive remarks at the Trump rally, which included jokes about Black people and Latinos, drew swift backlash from celebrities and activists. Celebrities like Jennifer Lopez, Ariana DeBose, and Ricky Martin defended Puerto Rico and Latinos in the U.S., expressing support for Harris’s plan for the island. Despite the controversy, Trump claimed he did not know Hinchcliffe and was unaware of the jokes made at the rally. His campaign stated that the jokes were not reviewed or pre-approved, distancing themselves from the comedian’s remarks.
The incident involving President Biden’s comments on Trump supporters underscores the heated rhetoric surrounding the campaign. Republicans seized on the opportunity to criticize the president, while Biden sought to clarify his intentions and distance himself from the backlash. The controversy highlights the divisive nature of the election campaign and the potential impact it may have on voters in the final days before the election. Although the focus was on Trump supporters, the underlying message was about the importance of unity and respect for all Americans, regardless of political affiliation.
