Staff Reports
When it comes to sticking one’s foot in their mouth, President Biden has found a way to crank it up to eleven. In a recent interview with CNN, he decided to refer to supporters of former President Donald Trump as “garbage.” This wasn’t just a slip of the tongue; it was more like a dumpster dive into the murky waters of political rhetoric. He was attempting to discuss a joke made by comedian Tony Hinchcliffe about Puerto Rico during Trump’s rally at Madison Square Garden. Instead, Biden found a way to insult millions of patriotic Americans who simply support a former president they admire.
Senator Marco Rubio was quick to relay this news, bringing the president’s dismissive comments to the attention of a riled-up crowd in Allentown, Pennsylvania. As he described Biden’s remarks, boos erupted, louder than a sports stadium after a referee call everyone disagrees with. Rubio pointed out that Biden’s “garbage” comment indirectly blasphemed hard-working individuals—the Border Patrol, nurses, teachers, and everyday Americans who are simply trying to pursue their version of the American Dream.
Trump told on stage that Biden just called Trump supporters "garbage." pic.twitter.com/RuLmDtCBSm
— HumanDilemma (@HumanDilemma_) October 30, 2024
Trump sauntered back to the microphone, soaking in the crowd’s frenzy as chants of “USA” rang out. He emphasized just how outrageous this situation was. In a deft comparison to Hillary Clinton’s infamous “deplorables” comment from 2016, Trump suggested that Biden’s remarks are even graver. After all, it takes a special kind of cluelessness to elevate trash talk about hardworking citizens to this level. Trump’s remark about forgiving Biden for his ignorance was both a jest and a subtle jab, as if to say even the president could benefit from a history lesson on political rhetoric.
The White House, predictably scrambling to cover for Biden, tried to argue that the president’s words weren’t meant to be taken literally. It’s tough to claim context when the comments are recorded in a video that is replayed more often than hot takes on social media. Biden later attempted to clarify that he was referring strictly to the “hateful rhetoric” shared by a few of Trump’s supporters, not the loyal base as a whole. However, it’s hard to buy this after Biden himself effectively tossed a grenade into the political landscape—one that has already caused collateral damage to anyone trying to win back credibility.
Biden’s blunder was so egregious that it drew backlash from both sides of the aisle. Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro, a Democrat, felt compelled to comment, disavowing Biden’s statements about Pennsylvanians. His approach emphasized unity and respect for voters, even the ones who might back Trump, demonstrating that not everyone in politics is looking to divide. Meanwhile, analysts noted that this verbal gaffe overshadowed Kamala Harris’ rally in D.C., which was supposed to be her big moment as the candidate of change. Instead of talking about peace and unity, Harris ended up following the lead of her boss, labeling Trump with terms like “petty tyrant” and “wannabe dictator.” Clearly, Biden’s slip not only crashed the party for Harris but also managed to redirect the spotlight back to Trump in an unexpected way.
In summary, Biden’s choice of words has sparked outrage, perhaps embarrassing enough that even his own party members are uncomfortable. While conservatives revel in the chaos caused by these imprudent comments, it remains to be seen how the Democrats will navigate the aftermath. But one thing is for sure: “garbage” isn’t going to resonate well with the folks who view themselves as patriots. And in politics, as in trash talk, it’s essential to know where to draw the line.
