By Jonathan Swan and Maggie Haberman
Donald Trump and his supporters are attempting to recreate a moment that struck a chord with his base during the 2016 election: when Hillary Clinton labeled Trump supporters as a “basket of deplorables.”
On Tuesday, President Joe Biden provided a fresh opportunity, seemingly referring to Trump supporters as “garbage” while speaking to Latino allies via video.
“Just recently, a speaker at his rally referred to Puerto Rico as a ‘floating island of garbage,’” Biden noted, adding what appeared to be, “The only garbage I see out there is his supporters — his derogatory comments about Latinos are utterly unacceptable, and they are un-American.” The White House clarified that Biden was referring to “his supporter’s derogatory remarks,” specifically targeting the comedian who made the inappropriate joke about Puerto Ricans at Trump’s New York rally on Sunday.
Trump’s allies quickly asserted that the intent was unmistakable.
Moments after Biden’s comments circulated widely on social media Tuesday night, Sen. Marco Rubio from Florida addressed the crowd at Trump’s rally in Allentown, Pennsylvania, informing them about Biden’s remarks.
“I have some breaking news for you, Mr. President — you might not have caught this,” Rubio told the attendees after being called to the stage by Mr. Trump. “Just moments ago, Joe Biden claimed that our supporters are garbage — are garbage.”
Rubio continued as the crowd booed and Trump shook his head: “He’s targeting the Border Patrol. He’s talking about nurses. He’s discussing teachers. He’s mentioning ordinary Americans who cherish their country and wish to dream big again and support you, Mr. President.”
Trump’s team viewed Biden’s moment as reminiscent of the time Clinton, during a fundraiser in late summer of the 2016 campaign, criticized a portion of Trump’s supporters as being in “what I call the basket of deplorables.” She described them as “the racist, sexist, homophobic, xenophobic, Islamophobic — you name it. And unfortunately, such individuals exist. He has elevated them.”
Clinton further mentioned that the other half of his supporters felt abandoned and overlooked by the government, but the damage had already been inflicted. Trump’s supporters gladly adopted the term “deplorables,” owning the label, as the Trump campaign indicated it signified how little Clinton thought of a substantial portion of the population.
The 2024 Trump campaign quickly sought to spotlight Biden’s remarks, made much later in the campaign than Clinton’s comment. Biden’s statement not only provided Trump with material to portray Biden as disinterested in the people he represents; it also gave the Trump campaign another chance to closely associate Harris with the unpopular current president.
“That’s awful,” Trump stated from the podium at his rally. “So you have — remember Hillary, she said ‘Deplorable.’” He remarked about Biden, “I’m convinced he prefers me over Kamala.”
Trump has continually vilified Democrats, using phrases like “the enemy within,” “communists,” “Marxists” and “vermin.” He has criticized his adversaries and threatened some with legal action should he reclaim the presidency.
The insult aimed at Puerto Rico by comedian Tony Hinchcliffe at the Sunday rally sparked backlash from the Puerto Rican community, condemnations from Republican politicians, and now two days of negative press for Trump.
Even the Trump campaign issued a surprisingly defensive statement disassociating Trump from Hinchcliffe’s joke. Both of Trump’s events in Pennsylvania on Tuesday showcased Puerto Rican women who expressed appreciation for Trump, portraying him as a supporter of Puerto Rico.
By Tuesday evening, the Trump campaign was utilizing Biden’s comments to connect with his supporters. Trump sent a fundraising email with the headline: “You are not garbage! I love you! You are the best our nation has to offer.”
Trump’s running mate, Sen. JD Vance from Ohio, who has been the former president’s most vocal defender, took to the social media platform X to comment on the statement, writing: “This is appalling. Kamala Harris and her boss Joe Biden are maligning half of the country. There’s no justification for this. I hope Americans reject it.”
