In a misstep that has triggered widespread backlash, President Joe Biden referred to Trump supporters as “garbage” in a comment that has since ignited political controversy and sent the White House into damage control mode. The remark was made during a Tuesday call with Latino voting activists as Biden attempted to counter a joke by comedian Tony Hinchcliffe at a Trump rally, which had caused a stir.
Hinchcliffe’s joke, which referred to Puerto Rico as a “floating island of garbage,” sparked outrage among Democrats and fueled media criticism. Biden, in response, appeared to direct his ire not just at the comedian but also at Trump’s supporters in general, saying, “The only garbage I see floating out there is his supporters… his demonization of Latinos is unconscionable, and it’s un-American.”
As Biden’s comment circulated rapidly online, the White House sprang into action to downplay the statement, attempting to focus the president’s criticism solely on the comedian’s offensive joke. According to Breitbart, Biden’s official social media account attempted a quick clarification, tweeting, “Earlier today I referred to the hateful rhetoric about Puerto Rico spewed by Trump’s supporter at his Madison Square Garden rally as garbage…that’s all I meant to say.” The tweet attempted to distinguish between the comedian’s comments and Trump’s supporters as a whole, but the damage was already done.
The White House also issued a revised transcript of Biden’s remarks, making a subtle adjustment to imply that only “Trump’s supporter’s” comments were intended to be called “garbage.” Yet, media outlets and political analysts compared the remark to Hillary Clinton’s 2016 “basket of deplorables” comment, which has since become infamous for alienating Trump voters.
Even CNN’s Kaitlan Collins raised doubts on air, pressing Democratic Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro, who quickly distanced himself from Biden’s remark. “I wouldn’t put it like that,” Shapiro said, underscoring the unease Biden’s comment had caused within Democratic circles.
Former President Trump responded to Biden’s gaffe with characteristic speed, taking the opportunity to compare Biden’s “garbage” comment to Clinton’s “deplorables” line, which had also sparked backlash in 2016. Speaking at a campaign rally in Pennsylvania, Trump referenced Clinton’s remark, saying, “Remember Hillary? She said ‘deplorable,’ then ‘irredeemable.’ Biden says ‘garbage.’ That didn’t work out so well for Hillary.”
Trump also took to Truth Social, writing, “While I am running a campaign of positive solutions to save America, Joe Biden calls our supporters ‘garbage.’ You can’t lead America if you don’t love the American people.” He added that Biden’s words reveal a lack of respect for the millions of Americans who back the Trump campaign. Trump’s message reinforced his longstanding message that he stands for all Americans, in contrast to what he describes as Democrats’ divisive language.
The Trump campaign echoed his criticism, releasing a statement through spokeswoman Karoline Leavitt. “President Trump is backed by Latinos, Black voters, union workers, law enforcement officers, Border Patrol agents, and Americans of all faiths,” she said. “Biden has labeled these great Americans as fascists, Nazis, and now, garbage.” She went on to assert that Biden’s rhetoric reveals contempt not just for Trump but also for his supporters.
The timing of Biden’s remark may prove critical. With the 2024 election around the corner, both campaigns are intensely focused on energizing their base and appealing to undecided voters. Biden’s words could potentially alienate segments of the electorate who feel unfairly categorized or dismissed, especially as Republicans push to highlight any perceived contempt from Democrats toward Trump’s supporters.
The White House continues to stress that Biden’s comment was directed at Hinchcliffe’s joke and not Trump’s supporters broadly, yet this explanation has done little to quell the controversy. The phrase “basket of deplorables” resurfaced across social media as commentators debated whether Biden’s remark would have a similar impact.
Conservative analysts and GOP strategists believe it’s possible Biden’s “garbage” comment may haunt his campaign, particularly as Republicans seek to frame the election as a battle for the values and respect of ordinary Americans.
Meanwhile, Biden’s camp is working to repair any damage to his image among voters who may be sensitive to such statements. Democratic insiders are reportedly urging Biden to avoid generalizations in future speeches, particularly those that might be perceived as dismissive of Trump’s supporters. With campaign season ramping up, Biden’s team is now emphasizing his broader message of unity and respect for all Americans in the hope of moving past the latest gaffe.
Ultimately, the White House and Biden’s supporters may face an uphill battle in regaining control of the narrative, especially with the incident’s inevitable comparisons to Clinton’s remarks in 2016. If the GOP succeeds in framing Biden’s “garbage” comment as an attack on millions of Americans, it could resonate among undecided voters and Trump supporters alike, potentially affecting Biden’s appeal as a unifying candidate.
For now, both campaigns are scrambling to make the most of the remark, with Democrats working to contain any fallout and Republicans doubling down on messaging that Biden and the Democratic Party are out of touch with ordinary Americans.
