With only a week left before a pivotal election, President Joe Biden found himself unexpectedly in the spotlight, overshadowing his running mate, Vice President Kamala Harris, and potentially providing a significant boost to his longtime rival, former President Donald Trump.
A Slip That Sparked Controversy
Biden’s comments came during a Voto Latino virtual event intended to mobilize Latino voters and support Harris’ campaign message. During the event, Biden referred to recent remarks from a comedian at Trump’s Madison Square Garden rally. The comedian had insulted Puerto Rico, referring to it as a “floating island of garbage,” a comment Biden rebuked with an impassioned defense of Puerto Ricans. However, his delivery sparked a political firestorm when he said, “The only garbage I see floating out there is his supporters.” Biden quickly clarified that he meant to target Trump’s rhetoric, not his base. Yet the damage had already been done, leaving Biden’s campaign in damage control mode.
A Remark Drawing Comparisons with Clinton’s “Deplorables”
The incident instantly drew comparisons to former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton’s infamous “basket of deplorables” remark during the 2016 campaign. Clinton’s comment was seized upon by Trump’s team and conservative media, fueling a narrative of Democratic disdain toward ordinary Americans. Trump supporters adopted the term “deplorables” as a badge of honor, and it became a rallying cry that energized his base. Biden’s choice of words offered a striking parallel, and Trump’s campaign team was quick to capitalize on it, positioning Biden’s statement as a declaration of contempt toward Trump supporters.
Trump Campaign Response and Media Frenzy
The Trump campaign immediately framed Biden’s comments as an attack on working-class Americans, minorities, and others who support the former president. Karoline Leavitt, the Trump campaign’s national press secretary, claimed Biden’s remarks revealed the administration’s disdain for Americans outside their political circles. “Biden and Harris despise the tens of millions of Americans who support Trump,” she said, igniting further outrage on conservative social media.
The media frenzy that followed Biden’s comment shifted attention away from the intended spotlight on Harris. Her team had been focused on contrasting her image as a unifier against Trump’s divisive rhetoric. Instead, Harris was left to deal with questions about Biden’s remark, a distraction that risked undermining her message.
Harris’ Dilemma and the Challenge of Damage Control
This misstep could complicate Harris’ campaign strategy of appealing to undecided voters, particularly those who previously supported Trump but feel alienated by his recent rhetoric. At a rally in Washington, D.C., on Tuesday night, Harris addressed the importance of seeking common ground, saying, “To people who disagree with me, unlike Donald Trump, I don’t believe people who disagree with me are the enemy.” Her speech was meant to distance herself from divisive language and connect with moderate voters, but Biden’s words now cast a shadow, raising questions that could continue to distract her in the final days of the campaign.
Social Media and Biden’s Response
Attempting to clarify his statement, Biden took to X (formerly Twitter) to address the controversy, reiterating that he had been condemning the hateful rhetoric of Trump’s rally, not the supporters themselves. His statement on social media read, “Earlier today I referred to the hateful rhetoric about Puerto Rico spewed by Trump’s supporter at his rally as garbage—which is the only word I can think of to describe it. His demonization of Latinos is unconscionable.” However, Biden’s clarification seemed to do little to quell the controversy.
Democratic Strategists Warn Against Voter Alienation
Some Democratic strategists and leaders are concerned about Biden’s remark’s long-term implications. Past elections have shown that dismissive comments about voters can have significant repercussions. In the wake of Biden’s comment, Democrats are reminded of the guidance offered by former Presidents Bill Clinton and Barack Obama, who both emphasized the importance of respecting all voters, including Trump supporters, to avoid further polarizing the electorate.
Clinton had advised Democratic activists to meet people where they are and engage with them respectfully, while Obama highlighted the dangers of scornful rhetoric, suggesting it alienates voters who might otherwise be open to different viewpoints. Both presidents urged Democrats to avoid condescension and emphasized a message of unity, cautioning that dismissing Trump supporters could discourage broader voter engagement.
A Possible Boon for Trump in the Final Stretch
Biden’s comment arrives at a critical time in the election when even minor missteps can have outsized effects. Trump’s team wasted no time leveraging the incident, sending out a fundraising email shortly after, invoking Clinton’s “deplorables” moment and reinforcing the message that Democrats view Trump’s supporters as inferior. The email read: “FIRST Hillary called you a DEPLORABLE! THEN they called you a FASCIST! And moments ago, Kamala’s boss, Biden, called you GARBAGE!”
The Trump campaign also highlighted the diversity among his supporters, attempting to counteract any narrative that paints his base as uniform or extreme. They emphasized that Trump’s supporters include “Latinos, Black voters, union workers, angel moms, law enforcement officers, border patrol agents, and Americans of all faiths,” pushing back against the implication that his base is rooted in prejudice or narrow ideology.
Biden’s Gaffe as a Moment of Reflection for Democrats
As Democrats regroup following Biden’s comment, they are reminded of the power of messaging and the need to avoid inadvertently alienating swing voters. The Biden administration has largely limited the president’s public appearances during this campaign season, hoping to keep the focus on Harris and her central message of unity and cooperation. However, Biden’s tendency for verbal slip-ups remains a concern for his team, who worry that further misstatements could detract from Harris’ momentum.
The Road Ahead for Harris and Biden
While Biden’s gaffe has left Harris with a political problem to handle, it also underscores the complexities of her campaign. Her approach has centered on appealing to voters who feel disillusioned with the divisive nature of recent politics. Her pledge at Tuesday’s rally to “seek common ground and commonsense solutions” aimed to distinguish her from Trump, who, in her words, seeks to marginalize those who disagree with him. Biden’s misstatement complicates this message, potentially allowing Trump to frame Democrats as dismissive of everyday Americans.
The Biden administration, meanwhile, is facing renewed pressure to reassess the president’s role in the campaign. The president’s public appearances have been sparse, and some within Harris’ campaign reportedly harbor concerns about his tendency to misspeak. The need for precision is heightened as the election nears, and Biden’s gaffe illustrates the thin margin for error.
Conclusion: Impact on the Final Days of the Campaign
In a tight race where small shifts in perception could swing the outcome, Biden’s words may prove consequential. The uproar surrounding his comment has diverted attention from Harris’ efforts to establish herself as a bridge-builder and positioned Trump to capitalize on the fallout, drawing on the familiar playbook that helped him in 2016. Biden’s attempt at damage control may have softened the impact, but the incident remains a cautionary tale for Democrats as they navigate the fraught landscape of modern politics.
As Election Day approaches, both Harris and Trump will work to maximize their appeal to key voter groups. With each side closely watching for missteps, Biden’s gaffe serves as a stark reminder that even a few misplaced words can shift the tone of an election.