With just a week left before the 2024 general election, an offhand comment from U.S President Joe Biden has intensified an already polarized political landscape, drawing below-the-belt remarks from Democrats and Republicans. In a recent CNN interview, Biden referred to Trump supporters as “garbage” while addressing what he described as hateful rhetoric coming from Trump’s recent rally at Madison Square Garden (MSG).
Biden’s comment came in response to a controversial joke made by comedian Tony Hinchcliffe, who performed at Trump’s New York rally, attended by more than 20,000 supporters. Hinchcliffe, aiming for a laugh, referred to Puerto Rico as “a floating island of garbage,” a remark that stirred anger among Puerto Rican officials and residents alike. “There’s literally a floating island of garbage in the middle of the ocean right now. I think it’s called Puerto Rico,” Hinchcliffe said, triggering backlash across social media.
Ángel Cintrón, Chairman of the Republican Party of Puerto Rico, was quick to condemn the comedian’s comment, calling it “unfortunate, ignorant, and entirely reprehensible.” His statement sparked heated exchanges as Harris and Trump supporters weighed in on the contentious remark.
Defending his comments, Biden later clarified on X (formerly Twitter) that he was referring specifically to the “hateful rhetoric” about Puerto Rico at the rally. “This is the only word I can think of to describe it,” Biden posted, insisting that such rhetoric fails to represent “who we are as a nation.”
Yet, Biden’s remark quickly escalated beyond the original incident, with many Trump supporters interpreting it as a blanket insult. “It’s not just about Puerto Rico—he just called half of Americans garbage,” one supporter commented, echoing the sentiment across various conservative circles. Many see this as an elitist dismissal of those who disagree with the President.
Meanwhile, Trump offered his own response to the uproar, downplaying the situation by describing the Madison Square Garden rally as “an absolute love fest,” denying any offensive tone despite reports of multiple racially charged statements from the stage. The former president and his team framed the event as a show of unity and strength, while Biden’s “garbage” comment, they argued, reflects a fundamental disrespect for the American people.
As election day approaches, the incident has underscored the stark contrasts in tone and messaging on both sides, with Biden emphasizing unity and inclusivity, while Trump supporters argue that he himself is out of touch with everyday Americans.
Political analysts suggest that this latest controversy may further entrench already deep divisions among voters, setting the stage for an intensely polarized election.