In a surprise twist on the campaign trail, a recent remark by President Joe Biden has sparked new controversy, handing former President Donald Trump and the Republican party a powerful rallying cry just days before the upcoming election. The comment, which Biden made during a virtual call with Voto Latino, was quickly seized upon by Trump’s team as evidence of contempt for a large segment of American voters.
The gaffe occurred while Biden was defending Puerto Ricans from a disparaging joke made by a comedian at Trump’s rally in Madison Square Garden. In his statement, Biden said, “The only garbage I see floating out there is his supporter’s – his – his demonization of Latinos is unconscionable and un-American.” However, the GOP was quick to interpret Biden’s words as an attack on Trump’s entire support base, branding his choice of words as demeaning.
The White House responded swiftly, clarifying that Biden was referring only to the comedian’s offensive joke about Puerto Rico, not to Trump’s supporters as a whole. Biden himself took to social media to explain, saying his comment targeted “the hateful rhetoric” expressed at Trump’s rally rather than his backers. However, Biden’s clarification may not have been enough to stem the political fallout.
Comparisons to Clinton’s ‘Deplorables’ Comment
The incident draws unavoidable comparisons to 2016, when Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton described half of Trump’s supporters as a “basket of deplorables” due to what she described as their “racist, sexist, homophobic, xenophobic, Islamophobic” views. That comment fueled anger among Trump’s base, solidifying their resolve and becoming a badge of pride for many. Now, Biden’s remark is being used similarly by Republicans, who argue it reflects a broader Democratic disdain for conservative voters.
Capitalizing on the moment, Trump’s campaign sent out a fundraising email to supporters, declaring, “FIRST Hillary called you a DEPLORABLE! THEN they called you a FASCIST! And now Biden called you GARBAGE!” Republican figures like Senator Marco Rubio also joined the outcry, calling for an apology from Biden and declaring, “We are not garbage; we are patriots who love America.”
Challenges for Vice President Harris
The timing of Biden’s remark has proven problematic for Vice President Kamala Harris’s campaign as well. Harris, who has based her campaign on promises to bring Americans together and turn away from divisive politics, was preparing to deliver a unifying message when Biden’s statement surfaced. Harris’s aides are now scrambling to refocus attention on her message of common ground and civility, though they are aware that Biden’s words may cast a shadow over these efforts.
Political experts warn that, with the election neck-and-neck, even minor missteps can create outsized consequences. Harris has been hoping to appeal to undecided voters and Republicans frustrated by Trump’s divisive rhetoric, and her campaign is now working to prevent Biden’s comment from taking center stage in the final days of the race.
Democrats Urged to Respect All Voters
The incident also recalls a warning from former Democratic leaders like Bill Clinton and Barack Obama. Both have cautioned Democrats not to demean Trump’s supporters, urging them to focus on policy differences rather than personal insults. At a past Democratic National Convention, Obama noted that the country’s political landscape is “so polarized” that Americans “assume the worst in others unless they agree on every single issue.” Clinton echoed this sentiment, encouraging Democrats to “meet people where they are” rather than alienating potential voters.
A Risky Moment in a Tight Race
For Biden, known for his straightforward and sometimes unscripted speaking style, this gaffe may add pressure to stay out of the spotlight in the final days of the election. Though he has appeared at events in support of Harris, his history of gaffes has led some of her campaign advisors to question how prominently he should be featured.
Meanwhile, Trump’s team is leveraging Biden’s words to bolster support in crucial swing states, particularly Pennsylvania, where a large Puerto Rican community could sway the vote. The president’s team has positioned Biden’s remark as yet another example of Democrats looking down on hard-working Americans.
With both campaigns pulling out all the stops in this razor-close election, Biden’s remark serves as a reminder of the unpredictable impact a few words can have on a race. As Harris and Trump compete for every last undecided voter, Biden’s comment—whether misinterpreted or not—could become one of the election’s defining moments.