Trump and GOP Seize on Biden's "Garbage" Remark, Turning it into a Campaign Rallying Cry

Following a comment made by President Biden referring to Trump supporters as "garbage," former President Trump, his supporters, and the Republican Party have embraced the remark as a new talking point against the Biden-Harris campaign, adding fuel to an already heated election season.

CBS News anchor Norah O'Donnell noted that former President Donald Trump is showing “no grace” in response to President Biden’s recent controversial comment referring to Trump supporters as “garbage.” During a Harris campaign event with Voto Latino, Biden appeared to disparage Trump’s supporters, sparking backlash and giving Republicans a powerful new line of attack with just days remaining before the election.

Trump wasted no time capitalizing on Biden’s remark, arriving at a Wisconsin campaign event in a garbage truck, wearing a reflective vest with his campaign slogan, “Trump Make America Great Again 2024,” prominently displayed. Speaking to reporters from the truck, Trump jabbed, “This truck is in honor of Kamala and Joe Biden,” before fielding questions.

The comment quickly went viral, with Trump’s allies labeling it a defining moment of Biden’s campaign. As media outlets moved to contextualize Biden’s remark, some Democrats defended Biden, while Republicans promoted it widely as an indicator of the administration’s disregard for Trump supporters.

Biden later clarified that his remark was aimed at a comedian who made inflammatory jokes at a Trump rally in Madison Square Garden, including one referring to Puerto Rico as “a floating island of garbage.” Biden called Trump’s use of “demonizing rhetoric” un-American, specifically condemning the “racist” tone of the remarks. Trump, however, distanced his campaign from the comedian’s remarks, stating on “Hannity” that he was not familiar with the comedian or the jokes beforehand.

Democrats and media figures, like O'Donnell, took Biden’s side, describing Trump’s campaign rhetoric as harmful. O'Donnell’s show featured interviews with Puerto Rican voters who condemned the joke, arguing it reflected Trump’s true feelings about them.

With less than a week to go, Republicans continue to circulate Biden’s “garbage” comment as they rally supporters and use the controversy to sharpen their criticism of the Biden-Harris administration’s stance on American values.