- “US closely monitoring BD situation, urges protection of minorities” |
- Numerous electoral corruption scandals tarnish free vote: TI |
- NASA Astronaut Visits Bangladesh for the First Time |
- Withdraw remarks on pol parties: Fakhrul asks adviser Nahid |
- Panchagarh records country’s lowest 8.4oC temperature Friday |
Biden Calls Trump Supporters Garbage After Puerto Rico Insult
President Joe Biden
President Joe Biden criticized Donald Trump's supporters on Tuesday following a weekend rally where a comic insulted Puerto Rico, calling it a “floating island of garbage.” This remark overshadowed the Republican presidential nominee's event at Madison Square Garden, which was marked by crude and racist rhetoric.
In a call organized by the Hispanic advocacy group Voto Latino, Biden addressed the comic's comments, saying, “The Puerto Ricans I know in my home state of Delaware are good, decent, honorable people.” He added, “The only garbage I see floating out there is his supporters,” condemning Trump’s “demonization of Latinos” as unconscionable and un-American.
White House spokesman Andrew Bates clarified that Biden referred to the hateful rhetoric at the rally as “garbage.” Later, Biden took to social media to reinforce his message, stating that the comments made at the rally do not reflect American values.
Biden's comments, however, seemed to contrast with the message of unity that Vice President Kamala Harris is trying to convey, as she aims to appeal to disaffected Republicans. Speaking shortly after Biden, Harris pledged to be a president for all Americans.
Republicans swiftly seized on Biden's remarks. During a rally in Pennsylvania, Trump recounted Biden's comment, emphasizing that he was referring to “everyday Americans who love their country.” A Trump campaign spokesperson asserted that Biden and Harris not only oppose Trump but also “despise” his supporters.
Some Democrats distanced themselves from Biden's remarks. Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro stated he would never insult any American, regardless of their political choices, recalling a similar controversy from 2016 when Hillary Clinton referred to some Trump supporters as a “basket of deplorables.”
Meanwhile, Trump downplayed the comic's joke during an interview, claiming he didn’t know who the comedian was and suggesting it wasn’t a significant issue. At his rally, he reiterated his stance that Biden’s immigration policies have turned the U.S. into “a giant garbage can.”
As Election Day approaches, Biden is working to highlight his administration’s achievements while supporting Harris in her campaign against Trump. However, his comments could complicate efforts to rally broader support, especially as Harris seeks to attract conservative crossover voters and emphasize unity among Americans.
Biden concluded his remarks by urging voters to reject Trump, labeling him a danger not only to Latinos but to all marginalized communities in the U.S.