Vice President Kamala Harris on Wednesday distanced herself from President Joe Biden’s recent comments that seemingly labeled Donald Trump’s supporters as ‘garbage,’ sparking a political storm just a week before Election Day.
Harris expressed her ‘strong’ disagreement with criticizing individuals based on their voting choices. When asked if she discussed the remark with Biden, Harris confirmed that while they spoke on Tuesday evening, his comments were not addressed.
‘First of all, he clarified his comments,’ Harris said at Joint Base Andrews. ‘But let me be clear: I strongly disagree with any criticism of people based on whom they vote for. My work has always been about representing everyone, regardless of their support.’
Harris emphasized her commitment to representing all Americans if elected president, regardless of their voting preferences.
The controversy erupted after Biden criticized comments made at a Trump rally in Madison Square Garden, where a speaker referred to Puerto Rico as a ‘floating island of garbage.’ Biden responded by calling such rhetoric ‘garbage’ and condemned Trump’s treatment of Latinos as ‘un-American.’
In a follow-up on X, Biden clarified, stating his intention was to criticize hateful rhetoric, not Trump’s supporters.
Despite attempts to clarify, Biden’s remarks led to frustration within the Harris campaign. Democrats privately expressed concerns about Biden’s public comments and some supporters urged that he stay out of the spotlight in the final days before the election.
Senior campaign aides emphasized that Harris respects all voters, contrasting her message with Trump’s divisive rhetoric. In response, Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, Harris’ running mate, framed Biden’s comments as frustration over Trump’s divisive language and urged voters to focus on Harris’ message of unity.
Walz highlighted that Harris is the nominee, adding, ‘The vice president and I have made it clear that everyone has a place here.’ He encouraged Americans to focus on Harris’ vision for an inclusive future, as outlined in her recent speech in Washington, D.C.