"Trump Supporters Are Trash" Biden's Gaffe... Harris and White House Struggle to Manage Fallout

With the U.S. presidential election just six days away, controversy is spreading as President Joe Biden referred to supporters of the Republican candidate, former President Donald Trump, as "garbage." Vice President Kamala Harris and the White House quickly moved to contain the situation, but with the election in an extremely close race and less than a week remaining, there are concerns that this could negatively impact voter sentiment.

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On the 30th (local time), the White House stated regarding Biden's "garbage" remark controversy, "He did not call Trump supporters garbage," adding, "President Biden does not see anyone who supports Trump as garbage."

The day before, President Biden was asked about a comment made by a speaker at former President Trump's rally in New York on the 27th, who referred to the U.S. territory of Puerto Rico as a "garbage island." In response, Biden said, "The only garbage I see are his (former President Trump's) supporters," criticizing that "demonizing Latinos is immoral and un-American." This statement was interpreted as equating Trump supporters with garbage, sparking strong backlash from conservative circles. Former President Trump responded at a rally in North Carolina that day, saying, "Biden finally revealed what he and Kamala really think of our supporters," adding, "He called them garbage, and that is their true feeling." He continued, "My supporters are far more decent than crooked Biden or lying Harris," and criticized, "If you don't love America, you cannot lead America."

As Biden's "garbage" remark controversy escalated, Vice President Harris also stepped in to defuse the situation, stating, "I oppose criticizing people based on who they voted for," and sought to mitigate Biden's gaffe.

When asked by reporters about Biden's "garbage" remark, she replied, "I think Biden has clarified his statement." She added, "Whether people support me or not, I believe my job is to represent all Americans," emphasizing, "If elected President of the United States, I will represent all Americans, including those who did not vote for me, and address their needs and wishes."

After Biden withdrew from the presidential race in July and Harris became the new Democratic candidate, she has maintained some distance from President Biden. This move was seen as an attempt to differentiate herself amid declining approval ratings for the Biden administration due to high inflation and the Russia-Ukraine and Middle East conflicts. It is reported that Vice President Harris does not even plan to campaign jointly with President Biden for the remainder of the election schedule. Even during Harris's "final argument" speech held at the Ellipse Park in Washington D.C., the site of Trump's 2021 election refusal rally, President Biden was notably absent.

The U.S. Wall Street Journal (WSJ) noted, "Biden, who had been sidelined, has regained the campaign spotlight with the 'garbage' remark," adding, "With just a week left until the election, Biden has trampled on Harris's message, and the damage has already been done."

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