Many believe it might be Joe Biden himself that’s laughable. But he decided to express his dissatisfaction with a comedian’s Puerto Rican joke. A comedian at a Trump rally made a “funny” comment about Puerto Rico. Joe Biden jumped in to criticize the joke, claiming that Trump supporters were the only “floating garbage.” That did not sit well with many people, and the response has been incredible.
Comedian’s Remark and Biden’s Reaction
During a Trump rally, comedian Tony Hinchcliffe made a disparaging remark about Puerto Rico, saying, “I believe it is called Puerto Rico,” referring to a “floating island of garbage.” This remark prompted President Biden, in a speech about port funding, to express his own point of view, saying that the only “garbage” floating around are Trump supporters.
Some interpreted Biden’s comment as echoing Hillary Clinton’s 2016 “basket of deplorables” statement, aggravating Trump’s supporters. The White House clarified that Biden’s words were directed at the rhetoric rather than the people. This incident has elicited strong reactions on both sides, becoming a source of contention in the political arena.
Biden tonight in condemning the joke about Puerto Rico.
“The only garbage I see floating out there is his [supporters/supporter’s]–his demonization of Latinos is unconscionable, and it’s un-American.”
The WH says Biden was talking about the comedian—“supporter’s”
The clip: pic.twitter.com/F7VRcyBFJu
— Alex Thompson (@AlexThomp) October 30, 2024
Political Backlash and Support
Republicans rallied against Biden’s remarks, with figures such as JD Vance and Marco Rubio defending Trump supporters as patriots. Rubio added, “He is talking about everyday Americans who love their country and want to dream big again.” The controversy has also given Republicans new ammunition to criticize Biden’s handling of political discourse.
“He’s talking about everyday Americans who love their country and want to dream big again and support you, Mr. President. And I hope [the Harris] campaign is about to apologize for what Joe Biden just said.” – Sen. Marco Rubio
In contrast, Jon Stewart, a well-known comedian, defended Hinchcliffe by emphasizing the importance of comedy in political discourse and questioning the wisdom of roasting comedians at rallies. Stewart’s defense emphasized that, while controversial, humor is an important part of political discourse that should not be overlooked.
So much for toning down the rhetoric…during a campaign call with CNN, President Biden commented on a joke about Puerto Rico 'being a floating island of garbage,' made by a comedian at Trump's MSG rally.
Biden said 'the only garbage I see floating out there are his supporters.' pic.twitter.com/Jq5rlL6pIh
— KTRH News (@ktrhnews) October 30, 2024
Broader Implications
The incident had far-reaching consequences for more than Biden and Trump. Vice President Kamala Harris’ campaign was overshadowed by Republicans, who used the opportunity to amplify their criticism of Biden. Meanwhile, Puerto Rican communities and supporters reacted negatively to the comedian’s joke, with Democratic and Republican lawmakers condemning the remarks.
“I think last night, Donald Trump’s event in Madison Square Garden really highlighted a point that I’ve been making throughout this campaign. He is focused and actually fixated on his grievances, on himself, and on dividing our country.” – Kamala Harris
The debate has highlighted the complexities of using humor in politics, particularly during critical election cycles. In such situations, political figures must navigate conversations with care, ensuring that they remain respectful of their diverse audience and potential voter base. The consequences of this event are still being felt as the country prepares for high-stakes elections.
