Penn. Gov. Shapiro Distances Self From Biden’s ‘Garbage’ Comment

Democratic Governor of Pennsylvania Josh Shapiro took steps to separate himself from President Biden’s recent controversial comments in which Biden referred to Trump supporters as “garbage” during a CNN interview on Wednesday.

“I had not heard that until now, Kaitlan, so I’m kind of giving you my fresh reaction to it,” Shapiro responded when CNN host Kaitlan Collins played the clip of Biden’s comments made the previous night.

Shapiro stated, “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.”

When questioned on whether Biden should clarify his comments, Shapiro cautiously responded, “Well, I think President Biden will decide what he wants to say. 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.”

Biden subsequently attempted to clarify his statement on social media.

“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,” Biden posted on X. “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.”

These comments from Biden took place during a virtual campaign call for Harris with Voto Latino, where he critiqued a rally held by former President Trump at Madison Square Garden. The rally stirred up attention after insult comedian Tony Hinchcliffe made jokes targeting various ethnic groups, including a joke referring to Puerto Rico as a “floating island of garbage.”

“The only garbage I see floating out there is his supporters,” Biden remarked on the call. “His demonization of Latinos is unconscionable and it is un-American.”

Although Hinchcliffe did not demonize Latinos, some Hispanic Americans, including individuals from Puerto Rico, took to social media to express that they were unbothered by the joke, pointing out that Puerto Rico has faced issues with waste management, which served as the basis for Hinchcliffe’s humor.

In response, Trump’s allies quickly criticized Biden’s comments.

“Just moments ago, Joe Biden stated that our supporters are garbage. I hope their campaign is about to apologize. We are not garbage; we are patriots who love America,” said Rubio while sharing the stage with Trump at a Wednesday rally.

J.D. Vance, Trump’s vice-presidential pick, also condemned Biden’s remark, calling it “disgusting.”

“This is disgusting. Kamala Harris and her boss, Joe Biden, are attacking half of the country. There’s no excuse for this. I hope Americans reject it,” Vance said.

Donald Trump Jr. posted on X, formerly Twitter, saying, “The media spent all week crying about a joke from a comedian. Meanwhile, Tim Walz called Trump supporters Nazis. Kamala Harris refused to condemn it. And now Kamala’s biggest Democrat ally, Joe Biden, is calling all Trump supporters ‘garbage.’ Absolutely disgusting!!!”

Additionally, Trump campaign communications director Steven Cheung denounced Biden’s statement on X, asserting that Vice President Kamala Harris and the president “HATE Americans and will do everything to crush us if they ever hold power again.”