Last Updated 2 weeks by Amnon J. Jobi | Amnon Front Page
President Joe Biden took a swipe against Donald Trump’s supporters on Tuesday as he reacted to the Republican presidential nominee’s weekend rally at Madison Square Garden, which was overshadowed by crude and racist rhetoric.
In a call organized by the Hispanic advocacy group Voto Latino, President Biden responded to a comic at Trump’s rally who called Puerto Rico a floating island of garbage. Biden’s initial comments were garbled.
Just the other day, a speaker at his rally called Puerto Rico a floating island of garbage. Well, let me tell you something, I dont, I dont know the Puerto Rican that I know, the Puerto Rico where Im fr — in my home state of Delaware. Theyre good, decent honorable people, he said.
The president then added: The only garbage I see floating out there is his supporters. His demonization of Latinos is unconscionable, and its un-American. Its totally contrary to everything weve done, everything weve been.
White House spokesman Andrew Bates said President Biden referred to the hateful rhetoric at the Madison Square Garden rally as garbage.
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President Biden then took to social media to personally clarify what he said.
Earlier today I referred to the hateful rhetoric about Puerto Rico spewed by Trumps supporter at his Madison Square Garden rally as garbage which is the only word I can think of to describe it, he posted on X. His demonization of Latinos is unconscionable. Thats all I meant to say. The comments at that rally dont reflect who we are as a nation.
In referring to Trump’s supporters as garbage, however, President Biden’s tone was at odds with the message that Democratic nominee Kamala Harris is seeking to present as she aims to cast a broad appeal, including to disaffected Republicans. Shortly after President Biden’s comments, Harris spoke from the Ellipse in Washington, vowing to be a president who would unite the country.
I pledge to be a president for all Americans, said Harris, who is Biden’s vice president.
Republicans quickly highlighted Biden’s remark. Trump called up Florida Sen. Marco Rubio during his rally in Allentown, Pennsylvania, to recount what happened.
Moments ago Joe Biden stated that our supporters, our patriots, are garbage, Rubio said. Hes talking about everyday Americans who love their country.
Trump campaign spokesperson Karoline Leavitt said in a subsequent statement, Theres no way to spin it: Joe Biden and Kamala Harris dont just hate President Trump, they despise the tens of millions of Americans who support him.”
A Trump campaign fundraising text declared, KAMALAS BOSS JOE BIDEN JUST CALLED ALL MY SUPPORTERS GARBAGE! before ensuring recipients that Trump himself thinks, YOU ARE AMAZING!
Even some prominent Democrats began distancing themselves from President Biden’s comments. Speaking on CNN, Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro said he would never insult the good people of Pennsylvania or any Americans even if they chose to support a candidate that I didn’t support.
The comments recalled then-Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton dismissing Trump supporters during a 2016 fundraiser in New York by saying that half would fit into a basket of deplorables.
Clinton later called that characterization grossly generalistic. But it became a defiant rallying cry for many Trump backers who said the insult encapsulated the elitist attitudes of Clinton and the Democrats.
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As reactions to Biden’s reaction began to fly, meanwhile, Trump was asked in an interview Tuesday night with Fox News Channels Sean Hannity about the racist and vulgar joke at his New York rally. He responded: Somebody said there was a comedian that joked about Puerto Rico or something. And I have no idea who he is.
The former president added, “I cant imagine its a big deal.
At a rally Tuesday in Allentown, Pennsylvania, a city with a large Hispanic population, Trump repeated his claim that Biden’s immigration policies have allowed other countries to treat the U.S. like a giant garbage can.
With Election Day now just a week off, President Biden has worked to maintain relevance, furiously promoting his administrations accomplishments while Harris in her race against Trump.
But his efforts to remain in the political spotlight might not always be so helpful for the top of the Democratic ticket hes now promoting. Thats because, while Harris has been sharply critical of Trump for months, repeatedly calling him unstable and unhinged and even suggesting that he was fascist, she has been careful not to decry his supporters.
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In fact, the vice president has campaigned extensively with former Republican Rep. Liz Cheney and other former GOP elected officials hoping to woo conservative crossover voters. The Democratic convention and Harris ads have highlighted the stories of everyday Americans who talked about having voted for Trump in the past but now say they are supporting the vice president.
On Tuesdays call, President Biden also said that Trump doesnt give a damn about the Latino community and urged rejection of the former president even as Trumps campaign says its support is rising among Hispanics, particularly men.
Vote to keep Donald Trump out of the White House, President Biden said. Hes a true danger to, not just Latinos but to all people. Particularly those who are in a minority in this country.
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