JOINT BASE ANDREWS: US Vice President and Democratic presidential nominee Kamala Harris sought to distance herself on Wednesday from remarks by President Joe Biden that appeared to label supporters of Republican Donald Trump as “garbage.”
Biden’s comments, made during a campaign call on Tuesday, sparked controversy as the president criticized derogatory remarks made by a speaker at Trump’s New York rally.
In his comments, Biden reacted to comedian Tony Hinchcliffe’s reference to Puerto Rico as a “floating island of garbage.” He added, “The only garbage I see floating out there is his supporters.” His statement quickly went viral, prompting backlash and criticism from Republicans, who accused Biden of disrespecting Trump’s base..
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When asked about Biden’s remarks at Joint Base Andrews, Harris responded, “Listen, I think that first of all, he clarified his comments.” She added, “But let me be clear, I strongly disagree with any criticism of people based on who they vote for.”
Harris, 60, further stressed her commitment to inclusivity, stating she would be “a president for all Americans, whether you vote for me or not.”
Following the uproar, Biden attempted to clarify his comments on social media platform X (formerly Twitter), saying he intended to refer only to “the hateful rhetoric about Puerto Rico” rather than Trump’s supporters as a whole.
The White House released a transcript suggesting that Biden’s statement referenced “supporter’s” remarks rather than “supporters,” attributing the comments to the individual speaker rather than the broader Trump base.
