CNN
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President Joe Biden on Tuesday sought to clean up comments he made earlier that prompted an immediate backlash from many who called former President Donald Trump’s supporters “garbage.”
Speaking during a Votto Latino poll call in reaction to Trump’s offensive rally at Madison Square Garden on Sunday, Biden said, “And the day after, a speaker at his rally called Puerto Rico a floating island. Garbage.’ Well, let me tell you something … I don’t know a Puerto Rican that I know, or a Puerto Rican that I’m from – in my home state of Delaware – they’re nice, decent, respectful.
“The only garbage I have floating around there are his supporters,” Biden said, pausing for a moment before continuing. “His, his demonization of Latinos is unconscionable and un-American. It’s the complete opposite of everything we’ve done, everything we’ve done.
Biden’s comments drew swift backlash online, with Republicans immediately linking to Hillary Clinton’s 2016 comment that half of Trump’s supporters were “deplorables.” Biden’s comments came as Vice President Kamala Harris prepared to take the stage for a major rally in Washington, D.C.
“Earlier today, I saw the hateful rhetoric about Puerto Rico by a Trump supporter at the Madison Square Garden rally called trash — that’s the only word I can think of to describe it,” Biden posted on X that evening. “His demonization of Latinos is unconscionable. That’s all I wanted to say. The comments at that rally don’t reflect who we are as a nation.
When CNN asked for an explanation for the president’s comments, a White House spokesman insisted that Biden had said “supporters” instead of “supporters.” He – his demonization of Latinos is unconscionable and un-American.
“The president called the hateful rhetoric at the Madison Square Garden rally trash,” White House spokesman Andrew Bates said.
During a rally in Allentown, Pennsylvania, Florida Sen. As Marco Rubio ran on stage, he said, “You’ve never heard of this. A few minutes ago. Joe Biden said our supporters are trash.
Trump said, “Wow. It was terrible. That’s what it says. That’s what it says. So remember Hillary, she said she was ‘deplorable’ and then said she was irreversible, right? But to her regret, it didn’t work out. I guess trash is bad, right?
His campaign quickly blasted a fundraising email using Biden’s comments, saying, “You’re not trash! I love you! You’re the best our nation has to offer.
Carolyn Leavitt, the Trump campaign’s national press secretary, responded in a statement, saying Biden and Harris “hate the millions of Americans who support him,” while Trump “will be a president for all Americans.”
Republican vice presidential candidate JT Vance also echoed Biden’s comments. “It’s disgusting. Kamala Harris and her boss Joe Biden are attacking half the country. There is no excuse for this. I hope the American people reject it,” the Ohio senator posted on X.
As CNN reported earlier Tuesday, Biden’s role has moved out of the spotlight in the final weeks of the election as recent campaign trail gaffes have prompted mixed responses from some Harris campaign aides.
Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro — an ally of Harris — said he hadn’t heard Biden’s comments until CNN’s Kaitlan Collins responded to the “source,” but added, “I will never disrespect the good people of Pennsylvania or any American, even if they choose to support a candidate I don’t support.” ”
“I think President Biden will decide what he wants to say,” Shapiro said in response to an attempt by the White House to comment on the comments. It’s certainly not my choice of words, and I think it’s important that we focus on the difference between Kamala Harris and Donald Trump, and not attack either candidate’s supporters.
In Tuesday’s call, Biden also criticized Trump for trying to sue Harris.
“Donald Trump has no character, he doesn’t care about the Latino community. He’s a failed businessman and he only cares about his billionaire friends,” Biden said, calling the former president a “real danger.”
“He’s a real danger not just to Latinos, but to all people, especially minorities in this country. You know, we have to vote to elect Kamal as president. Tim Walls as vice president. It’s never been more important,” Biden said.
In the days after his New York City rally, Trump’s campaign sought to distance itself from comedian Tony Hinchcliffe, who made comments about Puerto Rico. Hinchcliffe, like other speakers, was an invited guest. “This joke does not reflect the views or campaign of President Trump,” Trump campaign spokesman Daniel Alvarez said in a statement Sunday.
But vulgar and racist remarks at the rally have prompted finger-pointing within the former president’s inner circle and deep concern that his message has once again been overshadowed by controversy.
This story has been updated with additional updates.
CNN’s Gregory Krieg, Steve Contorno, Kristen Holmes and Jack Rogers contributed to this report.
