Joe Biden escalated his rhetoric against supporters of former President Donald Trump, calling them “garbage” during a campaign call on Tuesday evening. The remark has ignited criticism across social media and news outlets, intensifying the political divide as the 2024 presidential election nears its close.
“Donald Trump has no character. He doesn’t give a damn about the Latino community,” Biden asserted, according to NBC News Senior White House Correspondent Gabe Gutierrez. The president’s comments came shortly after an insult comedian at Trump’s recent rally in Madison Square Garden had mocked Puerto Rico as a “floating island of garbage.” Biden seized on this statement, criticizing the Trump supporter’s rhetoric and using it to denounce Trump’s entire base.
“The only garbage I see floating out there is his supporters,” Biden added. “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 remarks came amid a heated exchange of barbs between the Biden and Trump campaigns. Trump, polling slightly ahead of Kamala Harris in several battleground states, has been holding packed rallies across the nation, including his latest in New York City, a traditionally Democratic stronghold. The Madison Square Garden event saw thousands of supporters wearing “Make America Great Again” hats and chanting in support of Trump’s 2024 vision.
Trump supporters reacted strongly to Biden’s “garbage” comment, denouncing it as a clear indicator of the administration’s hostility toward Americans who question their policies. Many pointed out the seeming contradiction between Biden’s promise to be a “unifying president” and his divisive remarks just days before the election.
CROOKED JOE BIDEN on Trump Supporters: “The only garbage I see floating out there is his supporters.”
— Joey Caesar Salads (@JoeySalads) October 30, 2024
Biden’s Campaign Message Contradicted by Comments
Biden’s comment is drawing criticism from both sides of the aisle for seeming to undermine his campaign’s message of “unity” and “hope.” Vice President Kamala Harris has largely kept to a message of “turning the page” on past divisions, promising to lead a new era of positivity and joy. Biden’s comments about Trump supporters as “garbage,” however, cast a shadow over this optimistic narrative, leaving many to wonder if this approach will truly attract undecided voters or simply deepen the existing divide.
This incident is reminiscent of Hillary Clinton’s infamous “basket of deplorables” comment during the 2016 campaign, which many political analysts argue alienated a large segment of voters who felt looked down upon by Democratic leadership. Clinton’s label was widely seen as one of the missteps that cost her the election, galvanizing Trump’s base and pushing many undecided voters toward the former president’s populist rhetoric.
Biden’s Justification and the Fallout
Following the backlash, Biden issued a clarification via a post on X (formerly Twitter), but his explanation has done little to soothe tensions. “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,” Biden wrote. “His demonization of Latinos is unconscionable.” He continued, “That’s all I meant to say. The comments at that rally don’t reflect who we are as a nation.”
However, Biden’s critics were quick to note discrepancies between his X post and his initial comment. Biden’s remark on the campaign call had explicitly stated that Trump supporters themselves were “garbage,” rather than clarifying that it was only the comedian’s statement he found reprehensible.
For supporters of the former president, the remark felt like another instance of the Biden administration dismissing them wholesale. “What I heard tonight is a man who has lost touch with the reality of who we are and the issues we care about,” said a Trump supporter from Pennsylvania. “If he thinks he can unite us by calling us garbage, he’s got another thing coming.”
A War of Words in the Final Days
With the election just around the corner, both campaigns have sharpened their messages in what is expected to be one of the closest presidential races in recent history. Biden’s remarks about Trump supporters, juxtaposed with his calls for unity, reflect the precarious balancing act he faces: appealing to the progressive base within his party without further alienating moderates or the independent voters who could sway the election.
Trump, meanwhile, has frequently pointed to Biden’s divisive language as evidence of a “corrupt establishment” that does not respect or value the voices of average Americans. “They’ve got all the power, all the institutions, and what do they do? They call you names and laugh at your problems,” Trump said at his rally. “We’re the ones standing up for the real people of this country, and no amount of name-calling is going to stop us.”
In the days leading up to November 5, it remains to be seen whether Biden’s remarks will galvanize his base or alienate undecided voters who value respect and civility from their elected officials. Some political analysts suggest that Biden’s comment may motivate Trump supporters even more, driving them to the polls in response to what they perceive as a deep lack of respect from the sitting president.
Where Do Americans Stand?
For many voters, Biden’s comment may represent more than just a campaign misstep. It underscores a larger cultural divide in America, one in which different groups often see each other as enemies rather than fellow citizens. Trump supporters say they feel increasingly ostracized, arguing that the administration’s rhetoric only confirms their belief that the Washington establishment is against them.
Trump’s campaign is seizing the moment, viewing Biden’s words as an opportunity to underscore their message of populist defiance against what they describe as “elitist” leadership. With millions of Trump supporters already seeing themselves as targets of disdain from Washington insiders, Biden’s “garbage” comment could inadvertently add fuel to Trump’s populist fire in the final stretch.
The incident highlights the ongoing struggle to bridge the gap between two vastly different visions for America—an issue that continues to define the 2024 presidential race. As Biden and Harris campaign on the promise of “restoring democracy,” Trump and his allies are rallying voters around the idea that they are the true defenders of the American way of life. Biden’s comment, for better or worse, has drawn a stark line, forcing Americans to choose which side of that line they stand on.
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. That’s all I meant to say. The…
— Joe Biden (@JoeBiden) October 30, 2024