Biden Stumbles Into Campaign Spotlight, Boosting Trump Amid Late-Stage Election Drama
Just a week before the election, Joe Biden, who had largely stayed out of the fray, became the center of attention in an unexpected twist, potentially handing an advantage to his former rival, Donald Trump. At a recent Voto Latino call, Biden defended Puerto Rico, a U.S. territory disparaged as a “floating island of garbage” by a comedian at Trump’s rally in Madison Square Garden. Yet, Biden’s phrasing—calling “the only garbage” Trump’s supporters—caused a new wave of controversy, distracting from Vice President Kamala Harris’s closing campaign efforts.
Referring to Puerto Ricans as “good, decent, honorable people,” Biden quickly moved to denounce Trump’s rhetoric, but his unfiltered remark—”The only garbage I see floating out there is his supporters”—unleashed comparisons to Hillary Clinton’s 2016 “basket of deplorables” comment. Biden attempted to clarify on social media, stressing he meant only to condemn the “hateful rhetoric” of Trump’s rally, yet the damage was seemingly done.
The Trump campaign swiftly capitalized on Biden’s slip, portraying the president’s comments as elitist contempt for ordinary Americans, claiming Democrats disrespect “Latinos, Black voters, union workers, angel moms, law enforcement, and Americans of all faiths.” This attack echoes Clinton’s 2016 remarks, which Trump supporters still rally around as proof of Democratic disdain for their values.
With Harris in a delicate position, now facing questions about Biden’s comments, her ability to focus the conversation on Trump’s divisive rally becomes more challenging. Attempting to appeal to moderate Republicans disillusioned with Trump, Harris said Tuesday, “Unlike Donald Trump, I don’t believe people who disagree with me are the enemy.” Her message of inclusion and unity now risks being overshadowed by the backlash surrounding Biden’s words.
For her part, Harris’s message echoed guidance previously given by Democratic figures like Bill Clinton and Barack Obama, who warned against vilifying Trump supporters. Both emphasized respect and caution in reaching disaffected voters—a challenge Biden’s misstep has amplified. Obama, addressing divisive rhetoric, previously urged Democrats to avoid shaming voters, highlighting how polarization drives many to disengage.
The reaction from both sides shows how crucial tone has become in this campaign. Democrats see the stakes as higher than ever, with Harris positioning Trump as an autocratic threat. Yet, Biden’s comments inadvertently gifted Trump a new rallying cry. Already seizing on this moment, Trump reminded supporters that Democrats have gone from labeling them “deplorables” to “garbage.” His campaign wasted no time, claiming that Biden’s misstatement betrays Democrats’ contempt for “working Americans in the heartland.”
After months of strategic restraint, Biden’s latest comments may reignite questions about his campaign role. The former president already faces scrutiny over his rallies, including the offensive commentary at Madison Square Garden, but Biden’s gaffe has provided Trump an opportunity to sidestep that criticism. Campaign insiders suggest Biden’s gaffes have worn thin even with Harris’s team, who had kept his role minimal following missteps over recent months.
As the final days of the campaign unfold, Biden’s inadvertent entry into the fray underscores the volatility of the election’s final stretch. What was meant to be a moment of unity in defending Puerto Rico has morphed into an unforced error, one that Trump is already using to rally his base and sway the narrative. And in a race this close, Biden’s words may linger well beyond Election Day, adding an unexpected twist to a high-stakes political endgame.
