President Joe Biden’s recent comment about Donald Trump’s supporters has ignited widespread backlash across the United States. During a campaign call on Tuesday, Biden referred to Trump supporters as “garbage,” sparking fierce criticism from Trump’s campaign and his own political opponents. The remark, quickly circulated online, comes just a week before Election Day, raising questions about Biden’s rhetoric and the impact on the already contentious 2024 U.S. Presidential Election.
In a virtual meeting with VotoLatino, a group advocating for Latino voter engagement, Biden criticized what he called Trump’s “demonization of Latinos” as “unconscionable and un-American.” The president referenced a recent rally in New York where comedian Tony Hinchcliffe, opening for Trump, described Puerto Rico as a “floating island of garbage.” Reacting to Hinchcliffe’s comment, Biden said, “The only garbage I see floating out there is his supporters,” in a moment that quickly ignited political tensions.
Immediate Reaction from Trump’s Team
Biden’s comment sparked swift condemnation from former President Trump and his allies, who wasted no time seizing on the controversial statement. Trump, speaking to a large crowd in Pennsylvania shortly after Biden’s comment went viral, called it “another example of Biden’s contempt for hard-working Americans.” Drawing comparisons to Hillary Clinton’s infamous 2016 comment labeling Trump supporters as a “basket of deplorables,” Trump stated, “Garbage is worse than deplorables, don’t you think?”
Trump went on to assert that Biden’s remark was not only disrespectful but also reminiscent of the elitist mindset he claims pervades Washington. “Biden and his people think they are better than you,” Trump said. “Just like Hillary, they don’t respect you. They don’t believe in what you stand for.”
Trump’s Campaign Fires Back
Trump’s running mate, Senator J.D. Vance, echoed the criticism in a press release, describing Biden’s comments as “appalling” and an attack on millions of Americans. “Once again, Biden has shown that he has nothing but disdain for those who disagree with him,” Vance said. “This is not how a leader should talk about the people he claims to represent.”
Some analysts noted that the backlash against Biden’s comment could mirror the fallout Clinton faced in 2016. At that time, many Americans felt her “basket of deplorables” remark demonstrated a lack of respect for voters and alienated those who supported Trump, ultimately costing her votes in key battleground states.
White House Attempts Damage Control
After the remark spread widely on social media, the White House quickly attempted to clarify Biden’s words. White House spokesperson Andrew Bates released a statement explaining that Biden’s “garbage” comment was aimed specifically at the hateful rhetoric shared at the New York rally, not Trump’s supporters as a whole. Bates emphasized that Biden’s language was directed toward “the inflammatory remarks and damaging lies” he claims have fueled Trump’s rallies.
Despite this clarification, many voters seem unconvinced. A flood of reactions across social media suggests that the “garbage” comment has only intensified political divisions.
Public Reaction: Mixed Responses and Outrage
Reactions on social media have been both swift and polarizing. Some Twitter users expressed frustration at what they see as Biden’s ongoing hostility toward those who do not support his policies. “Just another example of the left looking down on regular Americans,” tweeted one user. Others came to Biden’s defense, asserting that the comment was taken out of context.
One Biden supporter tweeted, “Calling out hate speech isn’t the same as insulting regular voters,” while another defended Biden’s frustration over Trump’s treatment of Latino communities. “The comedian’s words about Puerto Rico were uncalled for. Biden has every right to be upset,” a user posted.
Some Trump supporters, however, went further, with one prominent Trump backer writing, “This is why we need to re-elect Trump. Biden just doesn’t respect the people.” Others condemned Biden’s comment as “out of touch” and “demeaning,” arguing that it reflects a pattern of disrespect toward those outside the Democratic base.
Comparison to Clinton’s ‘Deplorables’ Comment
Political analysts have drawn immediate parallels between Biden’s comment and Hillary Clinton’s 2016 campaign misstep. During a fundraising event in 2016, Clinton famously referred to Trump supporters as a “basket of deplorables,” a moment that sparked outrage and is thought to have contributed to her electoral defeat.