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Biden’s Remarks Spark Controversy at Baltimore Event
During a recent event in Baltimore, President Biden made headlines with a lighthearted yet controversial remark directed at pro-Trump comedian Tony Hinchliffe, following the comic’s provocative comments at a Trump rally held at Madison Square Garden.
Funding Announcement and Off-the-Cuff Comment
The president was speaking near the harbor in Maryland on Tuesday, highlighting significant funding initiatives from his Inflation Reduction Act aimed at revitalizing ports across 27 states and territories, including Puerto Rico. “I’m thrilled to announce over $3 billion allocated for port modernization,” Biden stated to an enthusiastic audience before adding his offhand comment about Hinchliffe.
“I’d like to take that guy for a swim out there anyway,” he quipped, eliciting laughter from those present. This remark came after he acknowledged Rep. Steny Hoyer’s cautionary glance as he prepared to continue with his speech.
A Nod to Past Comments
Biden’s jest echoed sentiments he expressed back in 2016 when he remarked about former President Trump: “I wish we were in high school — I could take him behind the gym.” Such comments have become part of Biden’s rhetorical style when addressing political opponents.
Hinchliffe’s Controversial Jokes
The comedian faced backlash for making jokes that targeted various ethnic groups during Sunday’s rally, including an offensive quip about Puerto Rico being a “floating island of garbage.” This sparked outrage among many Democrats who urged voters from Puerto Rico to support Vice President Harris in upcoming elections.
Biden’s Critique of Trump Supporters
Hours after his remarks about Hinchliffe, Biden appeared on a virtual call with Voto Latino—a non-profit organization focused on mobilizing young Hispanic voters—where he criticized Trump’s supporters directly: “The only garbage I see floating out there is his supporters,” referring specifically to Trump’s rhetoric against Latinos as “unconscionable” and “un-American.” This statement quickly gained traction online and drew sharp criticism from various quarters.
Reactions from Political Opponents
Republican vice-presidential nominee JD Vance condemned Biden’s comments as disgraceful: “Kamala Harris and her boss Joe Biden are attacking half of the country. There’s no excuse for this behavior.” In response to the backlash, the White House attempted damage control by clarifying that Biden was referring only to one supporter rather than all Trump followers.
Biden Attempts Clarification
The president took to social media later that day attempting to clarify his earlier statements regarding Hinchliffe’s remarks about Puerto Rico: “Earlier today I referred specifically to hateful rhetoric coming from Trump’s supporter during their Madison Square Garden rally as garbage—which is truly how I feel about it,” he wrote on X (formerly Twitter). He emphasized that such comments do not represent American values or identity.
Trump Responds During Rally
In response, former President Trump addressed these remarks while campaigning in Allentown, Pennsylvania. He likened them to Hillary Clinton’s infamous description of some Americans as ‘deplorable,’ suggesting that calling people ‘garbage’ might be even worse. He humorously added that perhaps Americans should forgive Biden for what he said due to confusion over his words.
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