US President Joe Biden has come under fire for his retaliatory comments to the “floating island of garbage” remark made by comedian Tony Hinchcliffe at a Donald Trump rally in New York City.
During a campaign call, in what can be perceived as disparaging comments towards Trump supporters, Biden responding to the inflammatory remarks by Hinchcliffe said: “The only garbage I see floating out there is his supporters.”
He also slammed Trump’s rhetoric against Latinos, calling it “unconscionable” and “un-American”.
Biden under fire for comments
Seizing on Biden’s remarks, Trump at a rally in swing state Pennsylvania labelled the comments “terrible” likening them to Hillary Clinton’s infamous “deplorables” comment made during the 2016 election. The Republican said “Garbage, I think, is worse”.
Trump’s running mate JD Vance also criticized the comment, slamming Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris of “attacking half of the country.”
The White House later clarified that the US President was not targeting Trump’s supporters but his divisive rhetoric. In a statement, White House spokesperson Andrew Bates emphasised that Biden had referred to “the hateful rhetoric at the Madison Square Garden rally as ‘garbage’.”
What did Hinchcliffe say?
During his opening set at Madison Square Garden on Sunday (Oct 27), Hinchcliffe made comments that leaned into racial stereotypes, including a jab calling Puerto Rico a “floating island of garbage,” sparking widespread backlash.
Leaning into the racist stereotype that Latinos are preoccupied with childbearing and averse to birth control, the comedian said they “love making babies” and do not “pull out”.
“There’s literally a floating island of garbage in the middle of the ocean right now,” Hinchcliffe said, adding, “I think it’s called Puerto Rico.”
The incident, just over a week before the US presidential election, has also led to criticism from both Republicans and Democrats.
Trump distances himself from remarks
The Trump campaign swiftly issued a statement disavowing the comedian’s comments.
“Look, it was a comedian who made a joke in poor taste,” Trump campaign spokesperson Karoline Leavitt told Fox News.
Meanwhile, Trump remarked, “Probably, he shouldn’t have been there.”
(With inputs from agencies)