U.S. President Joe Biden is under fire following remarks in which he referred to former President Donald Trump’s supporters as “garbage” while addressing a crude and offensive comment made about Puerto Rico at Trump’s Madison Square Garden rally. The remark came during a phone call with the Hispanic advocacy group Voto Latino on Tuesday, where Biden voiced his support for Puerto Rican communities and criticized the rhetoric from Trump’s event.
During the New York rally, comedian Tony Hinchcliffe made a controversial joke, describing Puerto Rico as a “floating island of garbage,” sparking widespread condemnation, particularly from Democrats and Latino leaders. Biden, responding to the offensive rhetoric, said, “The only garbage I see floating out there is his supporters,” in an apparent reference to Trump’s base. He emphasized the values and contributions of Puerto Rican Americans, adding, “The Puerto Ricans I know in my home state of Delaware are good, decent, honourable people.”
Biden’s comment triggered an immediate response from Republicans and supporters of Trump, drawing comparisons to Hillary Clinton’s infamous 2016 “deplorables” remark. Trump himself weighed in during a Pennsylvania rally, saying, “But she said deplorable; that didn’t work out. Garbage, I think, is worse, right?” Karoline Leavitt, national press secretary for the Trump campaign, accused Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris of looking down on “tens of millions of Americans who support Trump,” framing the incident as a clash of values between the two parties.
Attempting to clarify his remarks, Biden later posted on social media, explaining that he was referring specifically to the “hateful rhetoric” shared at Trump’s rally, which he felt did not reflect the country’s values. “Earlier today I referred to the hateful rhetoric about Puerto Rico spewed by Trump’s supporter at his Madison Square Garden rally as garbage,” he tweeted, reiterating his commitment to inclusivity and respect for all communities.
Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro, an ally of the Biden-Harris administration, responded to the controversy, noting, “I would never insult the good people of Pennsylvania or any Americans, even if they support a candidate I don’t support,” signaling a more measured approach amid the escalating tensions.
Trump distanced himself from Hinchcliffe’s remarks, claiming, “I have no idea who he is, never saw him, never heard of him.” When asked whether the comedian’s comments aligned with his rally’s tone, Trump added, “I don’t want anyone making nasty jokes about Americans.”
With the election just days away, the “garbage” comment has stirred fresh debate, adding another layer of tension to an already charged presidential race.
