On Tuesday, October 29, President Joe Biden referred to former President Trump’s supporters as “trash” during an online speech, sparking controversy.
In a telephone conference with the non-profit organization Voto Latino on October 29, Biden discussed a joke made by comedian Tony Hinchcliffe at a recent Trump campaign rally.
During the Trump campaign rally at Madison Square Garden in New York City on October 27, the comedian described Puerto Rico as a floating “trash island.”
Biden stated, “The only trash I saw floating there was his supporters. His demonization of Latinos is unacceptable and un-American. It goes against everything we stand for.”
Subsequently, the White House and Biden sought to defend his comments.
White House spokesperson Andrew Bates released a transcript of Biden’s remarks, stating that the President referred to the hate speech at Madison Square Garden rally as “trash.”
Biden took to social media to clarify that his comments were directed at Trump’s alleged “demonization of Latin Americans.”
“That’s what I wanted to say. The comments made at that rally do not reflect the values of our country,” Biden wrote.
Biden’s remarks immediately drew criticism from the Trump campaign.
Trump campaign spokesperson Karoline Leavitt stated in a release, “Biden and Harris not only dislike Trump, but they also disdain tens of millions of Americans who support him.”
Trump’s running mate and U.S. Senator, JD Vance, expressed on X his disapproval of Biden’s comments, saying, “Harris and her boss Biden are attacking half of the country’s people.”
Democratic Governor of Pennsylvania, Josh Shapiro, when asked by CNN about Biden’s remarks, said, “I will never insult the good people of Pennsylvania or any Americans, even if they choose to support a candidate I don’t.”
Elon Musk, the CEO of Tesla and SpaceX, who has become a major endorser and donor for the Trump campaign in recent months, wrote on his platform: “Biden just called half of Americans ‘trash.'”
At a Trump campaign rally in Allentown, Pennsylvania, Republican Senator Marco Rubio also criticized Biden’s comments.
“A few minutes ago, Biden said our supporters are all trash,” Rubio said at the rally. “I hope their campaign team will apologize for Biden’s words. We are not trash, but patriots, we love America.”
Trump likened Biden’s comments to those made by Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton eight years ago.
In September 2016, Hillary Clinton said, “You could put half of Trump’s supporters into what I call the ‘basket of deplorables.'”
Back then, Hillary’s comments sparked strong backlash. In a memoir from 2017, Hillary considered it one of the factors that led to her election defeat.
Comedian Tony Hinchcliffe appeared as a guest speaker at Former President Trump’s campaign rally. He made a joke referring to Puerto Rico as a floating “trash island.” Hinchcliffe’s joke immediately stirred controversy, becoming explosive news.
Democratic and several Republican figures, including Republican Congressmen Rick Scott, Carlos A. Gimenez, and Anthony D’ Esposito, promptly condemned the comedian’s remarks.
The Trump campaign also issued a statement on October 28 distancing themselves from the comedian.
Senior consultant at the Trump campaign, Danielle Alvarez, told “The Epoch Times,” “This joke does not reflect President Trump or the campaign team’s views.”