Name: Harris, Trump Respond to Biden’s ‘Garbage’ Comment
Uploaded: 2024-10-31T08:24:52.000Z
Description: Democratic presidential nominee Vice President Kamala Harris sought to distance herself from President Joe Biden's comment referring to Trump supporters as "garbage," as the former president told supporters at a Trump rally that Harris and Biden "mean it."

NTD Newsroom comprises teams of reporters, editors, and producers assigned to cover breaking news and other stories.


NTD Newsroom

NTD Plus

News

News with integrity, from the United States and around the world. Focused reports and analyses that shed light on major issues the world deserves to know. NTD Evening News airs daily at 6 p.m. ET.

NTD Evening News

Lara Trump Interviews President Trump on Fox News

Chi Huynh

Why More Texas Families Are Choosing Homeschooling

Gov. DeSantis Proposes Major Property Tax Relief Plan for Florida Homeowners

Economic Security Is National Security: Bessent

Jane Werrell is an international correspondent and anchor for NTD News based in London. Jane is a part-time anchor for "NTD UK News."

Jane Werrell

Award-Winning Film Uncovers China's Organ Harvesting Trade

Chris Beers is an NTD News anchor and political correspondent based at the network's global headquarters in New York City. Chris co-anchors "NTD News Today" weekdays at 10:00 am ET.

Chris Beers

Under Chinese Law, CCP Can Monitor Americans Through Apps: Joshua Philipp

Eliminating Property Tax in Florida Would Lift Burdens on Americans but Questions Remain: Executive VP of National Taxpayers Union

Tom Gantert is a reporter for The Epoch Times.

Tom Gantert

US News

State News

New Jersey

New Jersey Governor: Outside Agitators Are Fueling ICE Protest Violence

Nikou Bani

Free ‘After School Escape’ in NYC

Arleen Richards is NTD's legal correspondent based at the network's global headquarters in New York City, where she covers all major legal stories. Arleen holds a Doctor of Law (J.D.).


Arleen Richards

Ceasefire Extension Needed Before Iran Deal Can Be Reached: Middle East Affairs Analyst

NTD Evening News Full Broadcast (May 31)

Cary Dunst is the news anchor for NTD Evening News. He is also the co-host of NTD Good Morning.


Cary Dunst

NTD Evening News Full Broadcast (May 29)

NTD Evening News Full Broadcast (May 28)

NTD Evening News Full Broadcast (May 27)

NTD Evening News Full Broadcast (May 26)

NTD Evening News Full Broadcast (May 25)

NTD Evening News Full Broadcast (May 24)

NTD Evening News Full Broadcast (May 23)

NTD Evening News Full Broadcast (May 22)

NTD Evening News Full Broadcast (May 21)

The Associated Press is an American not-for-profit news agency headquartered in New York City. 

The Associated Press

California

More Than 17,000 Under Evacuation Orders as Southern California Wildfire Threatens Homes

Joseph Lord is a congressional reporter for The Epoch Times.


Joseph Lord

Aldgra Fredly is a freelance writer covering U.S. and Asia Pacific news for The Epoch Times.

Aldgra Fredly

Former NYC Mayor Rudy Giuliani Hospitalized in Critical Condition: Spokesman

Rudy Blalock is a Southern California-based daily news reporter for NTD. Originally from Michigan, he moved to California in 2017 and the sunshine and ocean have kept him here since. In his free time, he may be found underwater scuba diving, on top of a mountain hiking or snowboarding, or at home meditating—which helps fuel his active lifestyle.

Rudy Blalock

40,000 Ordered to Evacuate as Chemical Tank Leaks, Threatens Explosion in California

Video of US Fighter Jet Shooting Down UFO Over Lake Huron Emerges in New Pentagon Files

Ryan Morgan is a reporter for The Epoch Times focusing on military and foreign affairs. He was previously a news writer for NTD. 


Ryan Morgan

Mari Otsu is NTD's White House correspondent based in Washington. 

Mari Otsu

World News

Middle East

Iran

3 US Warships Fend Off Iranian Attacks, Trump Says Ceasefire Still Holds

News you can trust from the U.S. and around the world. Critical information and insight. We cover the stories that others don’t. NTD News Today airs Monday–Friday at 11 a.m. ET.

NTD News Today

US Government Sues Chick-fil-A Over Religious Rights

Sports News

Kyle Busch, Two-Time NASCAR Champion, Dies at 41

Health News

3 Dead in Suspected Hantavirus Outbreak on Cruise Ship in Atlantic Ocean: WHO

Haika Mrema

Medical Plane Crash in New Mexico Mountains Kills 4, Sparks Wildfire

Daniel Monaghan is a reporter for NTD News covering culture, social issues, and education. He holds a BA in Political Science and Government.

Daniel Monaghan

California Mayor Resigns, Will Plead Guilty to Acting as Chinese Agent

Democratic presidential nominee Vice President Kamala Harris sought to distance herself from President Joe Biden's comment referring to Trump supporters as "garbage," as the former president told supporters at a Trump rally that Harris and Biden "mean it."

The White House released a transcript of Biden's remarks, which was revised to appear like the president referred to a single person, instead of Trump supporters at large. Later on Wednesday, at a Trump rally in Rocky Mount, North Carolina, the former president rhetorically linked Biden's comments to Harris.

"And now, speaking on a call for her campaign last night, Joe Biden finally said what he and Kamala really think of our supporters. He called them garbage," Trump said. "And they mean it. ... My response to Joe and Kamala is very simple, you can't lead America if you don't love Americans. ... And you can't be president if you hate the American people."

Harris had distanced herself from the allegation when speaking to reporters on the tarmac at Joint Base Andrews on Wednesday morning.

“Listen, I think, first of all, he clarified his comments, but let me be clear: I strongly disagree with any criticism of people based on who they vote for. You heard my speech last night and continuously throughout my career. I believe that the work that I do is about representing all the people whether they support me or not,” Harris said.

The vice president also reiterated what she has said in previous campaign appearances: “I am sincere in what I mean: When elected president of the United States, I will represent all Americans, including those who don’t vote for me, and address their needs and their desires."

Meanwhile, Democratic vice presidential nominee Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz on Wednesday sought to downplay Biden's comments in an ABC News interview. When asked about the president's comments, Walz told "Good Morning America" that "the president clarified his remarks."

"Let's be very clear," Walz <a href="https://abcnews.go.com/US/walz-harris-message-absolutely-clear-after-bidens-garbage/story?id=115299825">said</a> in the interview. "The vice president and I have made it absolutely clear that we want everyone part of this."

Biden made the comment at a campaign call in reference to a joke made by roast comedian Tony Hinchcliffe earlier in the week about Puerto Rico during a Trump campaign rally at New York City's Madison Square Garden.

"Just the other day, a speaker at his rally called Puerto Rico a 'floating island of garbage,'" Biden told the call, according to video footage of his remarks. "The only garbage I see floating out there is his supporters."

Later on, Biden said that his remark was referring to the comedian's supporters and not Trump's supporters.

On social media, however, Trump's campaign and Republicans highlighted Biden's comment and called on the Harris campaign to denounce it. Trump's running mate, Sen. JD Vance (R-Ohio), wrote that "there's no excuse" for Biden's remarks and that he hopes "Americans reject it."

The White House had sought to clarify Biden's remark, with a spokesman <a href="https://x.com/AndrewJBates46/status/1851425985410789795">writing</a> on social media that the president was saying that "hateful rhetoric" at the Trump rally was "garbage."

Biden wrote later that evening, "Earlier today I referred to the hateful rhetoric about Puerto Rico spewed by Trump's supporter at his Madison Square Garden rally as garbage—which is the only word I can think of to describe it."

"His demonization of Latinos is unconscionable. That's all I meant to say. The comments at that rally don't reflect who we are as a nation," he wrote, referring to Hinchcliffe.

Harris delivered a speech at the Ellipse in Washington on Tuesday evening, which Walz said featured "rhetoric that a president of the United States" can give. His ticket also is one that can understand "we're all in this together" and "one that welcomes robust debate about the issues," he told "Good Morning America."

Also in the interview, Walz said that his opponent's campaign is producing "really difficult and hateful rhetoric."

"We saw our fellow citizens in Puerto Rico have to endure this. We've seen it in Ohio with folks. That's what's going to end," Walz said, referring to claims made about Haitian illegal immigrants living in Springfield, Ohio.

A Harris surrogate, Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro, whose state is a key battleground ahead of the 2024 election, told CNN on Tuesday night that he denounces Biden's comment.

“I would never insult the good people of Pennsylvania or any Americans even if they chose to support a candidate that I didn’t support,” Shapiro said when asked about Biden's remark.

“It’s certainly not words that I would choose, and I think it’s important that we remain focused on the contrast between Kamala Harris and Donald Trump, and not attacking supporters of either candidate.”

Hinchcliffe responded to the criticism of his Madison Square Garden set by saying that "people have no sense of humor."

“Wild that a vice presidential candidate would take time out of his ‘busy schedule’ to analyze a joke taken out of context to make it seem racist. I love Puerto Rico and vacation there,'" he <a href="https://x.com/TonyHinchcliffe/status/1850641658599399587">wrote</a> on X, referring to the criticism that Walz made about his comments.

On Sunday, as Hinchcliffe was rattling off jokes, he took a shot at Puerto Rico, a U.S. commonwealth whose residents cannot vote for president.

“I don’t know if you guys know this, but there’s literally a floating island of garbage in the middle of the ocean right now. I think it’s called Puerto Rico,” he said.

<em>The Associated Press contributed to this report.</em>

<em>From <a href="https://www.theepochtimes.com/us/harris-promises-to-represent-all-americans-after-bidens-garbage-remark-5750516">The Epoch Times</a></em>

Latest

Garbage

Videos

Politics

01_Lead Story

04_Top Stories

joe biden

Latest Clips

Kamala harris

Management

Jack Phillips is a breaking news reporter with 15 years experience who started as a local New York City reporter. Having joined The Epoch Times' news team in 2009, Jack was born and raised near Modesto in California's Central Valley. 

Jack Phillips

Iris Tao is NTD's White House correspondent based in Washington. Prior to her work at the White House, Iris reported on U.S. politics and U.S.–China relations from NTD’s New York headquarters. She holds degrees in journalism and economics from Boston University.

Iris Tao

2024 Elections

02_Second Lead

Executive Branch

Donald Trump

Kamala Harris

Latest and breaking news, documentaries, movies, and lifestyle content on NTD+.
 
Empower your knowledge and elevate your spirit with NTD+, your go-to destination for truthful news, insightful documentaries, and captivating lifestyle content that enriches your life.