President Joe Biden sparked controversy this week after calling Donald Trump supporters “garbage” during a live CNN interview aimed at rallying Latino voters for Vice President Kamala Harris. The president’s remarks have ignited debate across social media, drawing comparisons to Hillary Clinton’s infamous “basket of deplorables” comment in 2016.
Speaking on a Zoom call, Biden condemned what he described as Trump’s “unconscionable” treatment of Latino communities, referencing recent comments from a comedian at a Trump rally in Madison Square Garden who joked that Puerto Rico was a “floating island of garbage.” “The only garbage I see floating out there is his [Trump’s] supporters,” Biden remarked, expressing frustration with the rhetoric he deemed harmful to Latinos and Americans alike.
Biden’s comments came amid increasing tension over Trump’s stance on immigration, which Biden characterized as hostile toward Latinos. At the Madison Square Garden rally, a speaker reportedly made an inflammatory joke about Puerto Rico, prompting Biden to respond. “The only garbage I see floating out there is his supporters,” Biden said on the Zoom call. “His demonization of Latinos is unconscionable, and it’s un-American. It’s totally contrary to everything we’ve done, everything we’ve been.”
The President appeared to link his remarks to broader concerns, suggesting Trump’s immigration policies alienate Latino communities. He questioned how any Latino could support policies aimed at large-scale deportations, adding that the anti-Latino sentiment felt “totally contrary” to American values.
White House issues statement to clarify Biden’s remarks
Following the swift backlash, the White House issued a clarification, with Biden stating, “Earlier today, I referred to the hateful rhetoric about Puerto Rico spewed by Trump’s supporter at his Madison Square Garden rally as garbage—which is the only word I can think of to describe it. His demonization of Latinos is unconscionable.” He added, “That’s all I meant to say. The comments at that rally don’t reflect who we are as a nation.”
The incident comes as President Biden has adopted a more candid tone in recent appearances, occasionally sparking controversy with unfiltered comments. Previously, Biden faced criticism for calling on Trump to be “locked up” and for making blunt remarks about international conflicts, prompting concerns from some political analysts.
Political observers have noted that Biden’s frankness has sometimes backfired. In a prior campaign, a series of misstatements and a lackluster debate performance led Biden to suspend his run, reflecting a pattern that some say has impacted his current presidency. As Biden’s words continue to reverberate across news outlets and social media, the President’s team has focused on managing the response, emphasizing Biden’s respect for American diversity and his desire to uphold values that support all communities.