On October 31, 2024, reports surfaced of a video in which U.S. President Biden referred to Trump supporters as “garbage,” sparking controversy. Vice President Harris responded on Wednesday to clarify the situation.
Harris addressed the media at Andrews Joint Base, stating that President Biden has since “clarified his remarks.” She emphasized, “I strongly oppose any criticism of individuals based on their voting preferences.” Harris reiterated her commitment to serving as president for all Americans.
She revealed that President Biden called her on Tuesday evening but did not mention the controversial term “garbage.”
On the evening of Tuesday, October 29, Democratic presidential candidate and Vice President Harris held a large campaign rally on the White House lawn. Despite President Biden’s absence, he made headlines during a video call with Latinx voters when he casually referred to Trump’s supporters as “garbage,” causing a stir within Harris’s campaign team.
During the video call with Latinx voters, Biden remarked, “The only garbage floating around out there I see is his supporters. His demonization of the Latinx community is reprehensible and un-American.”
The White House attempted to clarify that Biden’s intended target was a singular supporter of Trump, not all supporters. The situation arose from comedian Tony Hinchcliffe’s derogatory comments about Puerto Rico being a “garbage floating island” at a Trump rally on Sunday, October 27.
Biden’s slip of the tongue occurred while mocking Hinchcliffe’s remarks. The video spread rapidly on social media, leading to widespread discussion. Republicans drew comparisons with Hillary Clinton’s 2016 comments labeling Trump supporters as “deplorables.”
Following Biden’s withdrawal from the race in July, Harris took over the candidacy. However, as the campaign enters its final stages, a few weaknesses have emerged as Harris closely aligns with Biden on most policies, including U.S. support for Israel’s military actions in Gaza. Additionally, discontent among voters has risen due to high inflation during their administration and a surge in illegal immigration across the southern U.S. border.
In an interview on the program “Perspectives,” Harris hinted that she will not deviate from Biden’s policies, which has become a focal point of Republican attacks.
In recent weeks, Harris and her campaign team have worked diligently to portray her as an independent figure separate from Biden.
Last week, during a campaign office visit in New Hampshire, the 81-year-old Biden once again made headlines with his remarks, “We have to lock him up,” referring to Trump. However, he quickly added, “Politically lock him up. That’s what we need to do.”
On the other hand, Trump and his allies have also drawn attention for their harsh rhetoric towards political opponents and illegal immigrants. For instance, Trump has repeatedly referred to Democrats as “internal enemies.”
Furthermore, Trump’s campaign team has been working this week to distance themselves from the comedian’s “garbage” comments.