In a charged exchange that has drawn swift reactions from both sides of the political aisle, President Joe Biden referred to Donald Trump supporters as “garbage” during a call with a Latino advocacy group on Tuesday. The remark came as Biden responded to a comedian’s comment from a Trump rally at Madison Square Garden, where Puerto Rico was compared to an “island of garbage.” Biden, quick to defend the dignity of Puerto Ricans, stated, “The only garbage I see floating out there is his supporters,” a comment some see as echoing past criticisms of Trump voters. Biden’s team quickly clarified, with a spokesperson explaining the president’s remark was aimed at the divisive language used at the rally, not at Trump’s base as individuals.
The remark has sparked comparisons to past controversial labels, such as Hillary Clinton’s “deplorables” comment, with Republicans rallying to condemn what they view as a pattern of disparagement. Florida Congressman Byron Donalds rebuked Biden on social media, writing, “Obama called us clingers. Hillary called us deplorables. Kamala calls us fascists. And Biden just called us garbage. They don’t respect us & don’t want unity.” Meanwhile, conservative comedian Chad Prather leaned into the controversy by rebranding himself as “Garbage Chad Prather” online, complete with new merchandise embracing the term. This heated rhetoric comes as over 53 million Americans have already cast their ballots ahead of Election Day, adding urgency to the final days of the campaign season.
