President Joe Biden’s recent remarks calling Trump supporters “garbage” have ignited a firestorm of controversy, drawing comparisons to Hillary Clinton’s infamous “basket of deplorables” comment and potentially alienating millions of American voters.
At a Glance
- Biden referred to Trump supporters as “garbage” during a virtual campaign call
- The comment has drawn parallels to Hillary Clinton’s 2016 “basket of deplorables” remark
- Republican figures, including Trump, JD Vance, and Marco Rubio, have strongly condemned Biden’s statement
- The White House attempted to clarify that Biden was referring to rhetoric, not supporters
- The controversy overshadowed Vice President Kamala Harris’ campaign speech
Biden’s Controversial Comment
During a virtual campaign call with Voto Latino, President Joe Biden made a statement that has sent shockwaves through the political landscape. In response to a derogatory joke about Puerto Rico made by comedian Tony Hinchcliffe at a Trump rally, Biden declared, “The only garbage I see floating out there is [Trump] supporters.” This inflammatory remark has reignited tensions between political factions and raised questions about the state of civil discourse in American politics.
The White House has since attempted to clarify that Biden was referring to the rhetoric at the rally as “garbage,” not the supporters themselves. However, this explanation is an obvious lie and it has done little to quell the outrage from Trump supporters and Republicans who recognize the comment as a direct attack on millions of Americans.
Republican Backlash
The response from Republican figures has been swift and severe. Senator JD Vance of Ohio didn’t mince words, stating, “This is disgusting. Kamala Harris and her boss Joe Biden are attacking half of the country. There’s no excuse for this. I hope Americans reject it.” Florida Senator Marco Rubio echoed this sentiment, declaring, “We are not garbage, we are patriots who love America.”
Former President Donald Trump himself weighed in on the controversy, comparing Biden’s comment unfavorably to Hillary Clinton’s “deplorables” remark from the 2016 campaign. Trump suggested that Biden’s use of the term “garbage” was even worse, potentially alienating a significant portion of the electorate.
Echoes of 2016
The parallels to the 2016 election are unmistakable. Hillary Clinton’s “basket of deplorables” comment became a rallying cry for Trump supporters and was widely seen as a contributing factor to her eventual defeat. By making a similar gaffe, Biden risks energizing Trump’s base and pushing undecided voters away from the Democratic ticket.
Trump made the connection right away. “Wow. That’s terrible,” he said. “So, you have to remember Hillary [Clinton] – she said ‘deplorable’ and then she said ‘irredeemable’ …. ‘garbage’ I think is worse.”
The timing of Biden’s comment is particularly troubling for Democrats, coming just days before the election with over 50 million Americans having already cast their votes. This controversy has the potential to overshadow the Democrats’ campaign messaging in the crucial final days of the race.
Implications for the Election
As the fallout from Biden’s “garbage” comment continues, its impact on the election remains to be seen. However, history suggests that such divisive rhetoric can have significant consequences at the ballot box. With the race tightening in key battleground states, Democrats can ill afford to alienate potential voters or give Republicans additional ammunition.
The controversy has also raised questions about Biden’s judgment and ability to unify the country. As one Republican senator put it, “Why do so many Democrat leaders hate so many of our fellow Americans?” This perception of contempt for a large segment of the population could prove damaging not only to Biden’s campaign but to the broader goal of healing the nation’s political divisions.
