The final days of the heated US presidential campaign saw a war of words erupt over a comedian’s controversial jokes as President Joe Biden was compelled to clarify recent remarks and his running mate Vice President Kamala Harris made her closing argument to the nation.
At a pro-Trump rally this past weekend, comedian Tony Hinchcliffe drew outrage when he compared Puerto Rico to a “floating island of garbage.” Biden responded by calling the comedian’s rhetoric “garbage” and his “demonization of Latinos” unconscionable.
However, in a clip that went viral, Biden was heard saying “the only garbage I see floating out there is his supporters.” Republicans pounced, likening the gaffe to Hillary Clinton’s infamous “basket of deplorables” comment about Trump supporters in 2016.
Biden Walks It Back as GOP Seizes on ‘Garbage’ Remarks
Facing backlash, Biden took to social media to elaborate. “Earlier today I referred to the hateful rhetoric about Puerto Rico spewed by Trump’s supporter at his Madison Square Garden rally as garbage,” he wrote. The president clarified that he was describing the comedian’s comments, not Trump voters in general.
“His demonization of Latinos is unconscionable,” Biden added. “That’s all I meant to say. The comments at that rally don’t reflect who we are as a nation.” But GOP figures still seized the opportunity to paint the president as out of touch and divisive.
Trump’s Running Mate Vance Accuses Biden of Attacking Voters
Senator JD Vance of Ohio, Trump’s vice presidential pick, blasted Biden’s remarks as “disgusting,” claiming that the Democratic ticket was “attacking half of the country.” Just a day prior, however, Vance had brushed off concerns about the Puerto Rico joke, urging Americans to “stop getting so offended.”
Harris Makes Closing Argument as Campaign Enters Home Stretch
Meanwhile, in Washington DC, Vice President Harris delivered an impassioned closing speech, appealing for “a new generation of leadership.” Harris, who would be the first HBCU graduate to reach the Oval Office if elected, is set to spend election night at her alma mater Howard University.
With Biden opting for a more rose garden strategy in the final week, Harris has taken on the role of the campaign’s top surrogate and closer. “This is our time!” she declared to an energized crowd. “We have a chance to write the next chapter of the American story.”
Other Developments as Election Day Nears
- Donald Trump doubled down on support for the controversial comedy set, calling it an “honor to be involved” and describing his rally as a “lovefest.”
- Former First Lady Michelle Obama rallied voters in Georgia at an event hosted by her organization “When We All Vote.”
- JD Vance accused Democrats of disrespecting WWII vets by labeling Trump a fascist as he stumped in battleground Michigan.
The final verdict will be rendered by voters in just a matter of days as the nation remains on edge. While Biden aims to become the first incumbent to win reelection since 2012, Trump is attempting a historic comeback after his 2020 defeat. All eyes are on a handful of swing states likely to determine the outcome, with both sides making their final pitches to the American people.
