President Joe Biden recently stirred a significant controversy with remarks that many interpreted as directed at supporters of former President Donald Trump, calling them "garbage" in response to a comment by comedian Tony Hinchcliffe. During a call with Latino activists, Biden reacted to Hinchcliffe’s offensive comparison of Puerto Rico to a "floating island of garbage," reportedly made at a Trump rally in New York’s Madison Square Garden. Biden's response, according to the initial White House transcript, was swift and strong: "The only garbage I see floating out there is his supporters." He further condemned the derogatory rhetoric, calling it “un-American” and criticizing what he saw as a demonization of Latinos. This statement, which quickly circulated on social media, ignited heated backlash, with critics accusing Biden of making a disparaging comment about the millions who voted for Trump.
In the aftermath, the White House attempted to clarify Biden’s intent, stating that his comment was directed solely at Hinchcliffe's inflammatory remarks, rather than at Trump’s entire base. In an effort to emphasize this distinction, the White House made a subtle yet impactful edit to the official transcript, adding an apostrophe to transform "supporters" into "supporter's," implying Biden referred to a single supporter—the comedian in question—rather than to a collective group. This change was made after the press office consulted with Biden but bypassed the standard protocol requiring the Stenography Office’s approval, a move that raised internal concerns. Amy Sands, director of the White House Stenography Office, flagged the alteration as a "breach of protocol" and highlighted the need for preserving the transcript’s integrity through established procedures. Her internal email expressed frustration, noting that the press office had requested the change late in the evening but proceeded with the modification before obtaining final confirmation.
The fallout quickly escalated, as Republican lawmakers, including Elise Stefanik and James Comer, condemned the White House's handling of the transcript. They argued that altering the President’s words to fit a particular narrative not only compromised transparency but potentially violated the Presidential Records Act, a 1978 law ensuring accurate documentation of presidential statements. Stefanik and Comer suggested that White House officials should not be permitted to edit presidential remarks to make them more politically palatable, warning that such actions could erode public trust.
In response to the controversy, Biden took to social media in an attempt to clarify his intent, tweeting that he was specifically condemning the “hateful rhetoric” from "Trump's supporter" rather than criticizing all Trump supporters. He added, "The comments at that rally don't reflect who we are as a nation," underscoring his stance against divisive rhetoric while aiming to quell the escalating backlash. White House Deputy Press Secretary Andrew Bates also defended the change, arguing that the addition of the apostrophe was a necessary clarification to ensure the transcript accurately reflected Biden’s intended meaning. Bates reiterated that the President’s remarks were solely aimed at Hinchcliffe's offensive comments and that the transcript adjustment was made to avoid any misinterpretation.
However, the clarification did little to douse the flames. Trump seized the opportunity to amplify the controversy, staging a symbolic counter-response in Wisconsin. Appearing in a garbage truck while wearing an orange safety vest, he sought to mock Biden’s comments, with several supporters sporting matching vests at his rally. Trump’s team released a statement condemning Biden’s “divisive language” and highlighting the incident as evidence of what they called the administration’s "disdain for millions of Americans."
Meanwhile, Vice President Kamala Harris, busy with her own campaign events in the lead-up to the November 5 election, distanced herself from Biden's comments, signaling a disagreement. In a public statement, Harris noted that while she opposed any rhetoric targeting individuals based on political preference, she understood the frustration stemming from divisive comments. “I strongly disagree with any criticism of people based on who they vote for or support,” she remarked, framing her stance as one of unity rather than partisanship.
This incident underscores the broader challenges Biden faces in appealing to a wide spectrum of voters while expressing strong opposition to rhetoric he finds harmful or un-American. With the upcoming election, Biden's “garbage” remark, its subsequent handling, and the White House’s controversial edit may serve as focal points in ongoing discussions about transparency, integrity in public communication, and the impact of rhetoric on voter sentiment. As both parties continue to scrutinize each other’s every move, this episode reflects the heightened sensitivity around language in today’s polarized political climate, where even minor missteps can reverberate across the campaign landscape, influencing public perceptions and potentially affecting voter turnout.
