The White House is facing mounting criticism after attempting to clarify President Joe Biden’s recent remarks, in which he seemingly disparaged supporters of former President Donald Trump as “garbage.”
According to reports, Biden’s aides defended his comments, asserting that they were not directed at Trump’s supporters but rather at a joke made by comedian Tony Hinchcliffe. However, aides did so without consulting Biden himself, a move that has fueled further controversy.
At a Tuesday night event, Biden remarked that “the only garbage I see floating out there is his supporters,” words widely interpreted as referring to Trump supporters.
White House officials quickly issued a statement attempting to clarify Biden’s meaning, claiming that his comments referenced a joke by Hinchcliffe during a Trump rally, which the Biden-Harris campaign believes the Harris camp had already responded to.
The White House released a transcript of Biden’s remarks to reinforce its claim that Biden’s comments were not aimed at Trump’s supporters. However, Axios reporter Alex Thompson revealed that when asked if aides had actually spoken to Biden before making this clarification, a White House spokesperson requested to go off the record.
Axios declined, and the White House did not respond further, raising questions about whether Biden’s aides were speaking on his behalf without verifying his intent. The lack of consultation with Biden left many questioning how aides could determine his intent for unscripted comments without directly discussing it with him.
This situation has only intensified the backlash over Biden’s comments, with some comparing them to Hillary Clinton’s infamous 2016 comment referring to Trump supporters as a “basket of deplorables.” Clinton’s remarks were viewed as alienating many voters and contributing to Trump’s victory in that year’s election. Now, critics are drawing parallels, suggesting that Biden’s remarks could have a similar effect, especially in a polarized election environment.
Vice President Kamala Harris, who has remained silent on the controversy, had intended her Tuesday night rally to serve as a final appeal to voters. Instead, the event was overshadowed by Biden’s gaffe and the White House’s clarification process, which some feel only amplified the issue.
Biden’s remarks and the White House’s unclear response risk diverting attention away from Harris’s campaign efforts, which has been viewed by some as another setback to an already challenging campaign cycle.
The comparison to Clinton’s “deplorables” comment underscores a significant political risk for Biden. Clinton’s remark was heavily criticized by Trump supporters, who saw it as an attack on their values, and even some undecided voters viewed it as dismissive.
Analysts point out that Biden’s comment, if not clarified effectively, could provoke a similar reaction from Trump supporters, leading some to double down in their support for Trump as a response to perceived disrespect from Biden.
The White House’s handling of the incident has only intensified scrutiny. With aides issuing statements on Biden’s comments without his input, critics argue that the clarification lacks credibility and depth. As the election draws closer, Biden’s campaign now faces the additional task of addressing the fallout from this incident and reassuring voters of the president’s intentions and campaign message.
Whether or not Biden’s comments will have a lasting impact on the race remains to be seen. But the White House’s response has demonstrated the delicate balance Biden’s campaign must maintain in its messaging to appeal to undecided voters while not alienating potential swing voters.
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