By Daily Mail (U.S.) | Created at 2024-10-30 01:21:30 | Updated at 2024-10-30 03:31:39
2 hours ago
President Joe Biden overshadowed his vice president Kamala Harris' 'closing' campaign plea by calling Donald Trump's supporters 'garbage' in an astonishing outburst.
The 81-year-old commander-in-chief was responding to a comedian at Trump's Madison Square Garden rally on Sunday comparing Puerto Rico to a 'floating island of garbage'.
Biden's comment sparked an immediate backlash from Republicans comparing it to when Hillary Clinton called Trump supporters a 'deplorables' in 2016.
He said: 'The only garbage I see floating out there is his (Trump's) supporters.'
The president made the comment on a national phone call organized by the advocacy group Voto Latino.
President Joe Biden referred to Donald Trump supporters as 'garbage' in an astonishing statement as Vice President Kamala Harris issued her 'closing' plea in the 2024 election
Former US President and Republican Presidential Candidate Donald J. Trump speaks during a campaign rally in Allentown, Pennsylvania, USA, October 29, 2024
Biden said: 'And just the other day, a speaker at his (Trump's rally called Puerto Rico a “floating island of garbage.”
'Well, let me tell you something. I don't, I, I don't know the Puerto Rican that, that I know, or a Puerto Rico,. Where I'm from, in my home state of Delaware, they're good, decent, honorable people.
'The only garbage I see floating out there is his supporters, His, his demonization of Latinos is unconscionable, and it's un-American. It's totally contrary to everything we've done, everything we've been.'
Biden also urged those listening on the call to 'vote to keep Donald Trump out of the White House.'
The president said: 'He's a true danger to not just Latinos but to all people, particularly those who are in a minority in this country.'
In 2016 Hillary Clinton called Trump supporters 'deplorables'
US Vice President and Democratic presidential candidate Kamala Harris speaks on The Ellipse just south of the White House in Washington, DC, on October 29, 2024
US Vice President and Democratic presidential candidate Kamala Harris arrives to speak on The Ellipse just south of the White House in Washington, DC, on October 29
Biden also praised Harris, who has been careful to only criticize Trump, and not his supporters, as she actively courts Republicans she hopes might cross over and vote for her.
Supporters hold signs during former US President and Republican Presidential Candidate Donald J. Trump's campaign rally in Allentown, Pennsylvania, USA, October 29, 2024
In Politico's version of the Biden call he said that the 'only garbage' he sees was the 'hatred' of Trump supporters who attacked American citizens.
'Our diversity is our strength,' he added, and slammed Trump's plans to conduct the largest mass deportation in history if he is elected.
Trump's running mate J.D. Vance said of Biden's comment: '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.'
Donald Trump Jr. said: 'The media spent all week crying about a joke from a comedian. Meanwhile, Tim Walz called Trump supporters Nazis. Kamala Harris refused to condemn it. And now Kamala's biggest Democrat ally, Joe Biden, is calling all Trump supporters "garbage." Absolutely disgusting!!!'
