With just days left before the 2024 presidential election, controversy has erupted over comments made by President Biden, allegedly referring to Trump supporters as "garbage," and a subsequent White House transcript that Republicans say obscures his actual words. House Republican Conference Chair Elise Stefanik and House Oversight Committee Chairman James Comer have formally challenged the White House’s response to the incident, alleging that by altering the transcript, the administration may have violated the Presidential Records Act.
Stefanik and Comer directed a letter to White House counsel Edward Siskel, demanding that the administration preserve all records and communications related to Biden's remarks and the revised transcript. In their statement, the representatives highlighted the gravity of Biden’s words, calling out the White House for not only failing to issue an apology but, in their view, attempting to “rewrite” what was said.
Earlier today I referred to the hateful rhetoric about Puerto Rico spewed by Trump's supporter at his Madison Square Garden rally as garbage—which is the only word I can think of to describe it. His demonization of Latinos is unconscionable. That's all I meant to say. The…
— Joe Biden (@JoeBiden) October 30, 2024
The backstory is rooted in an exchange Biden had on a Zoom call with Voto Latino, where he responded to a comment made by comedian Tony Hinchcliffe at a Trump rally in Madison Square Garden, referring to Puerto Rico as “a floating island of garbage.” When asked for his thoughts, Biden allegedly replied, “The only garbage I see floating out there is his supporters.”
But after backlash, the White House adjusted the statement in its official transcript to, “The only garbage I see floating out there is his supporter’s — his — his demonization of Latinos is unconscionable, and it’s un-American.”
White House deputy press secretary Andrew Bates and Biden himself took to social media, aiming to clarify his comments. Bates reiterated that the President was referring to “hateful rhetoric” as garbage, while Biden’s social media post specified that he was condemning Trump supporters’ language against Puerto Ricans.
In the meantime, Vice President Kamala Harris distanced herself from the remarks, affirming that she “disagrees with any criticism of people based on who they vote for,” yet defended Biden’s clarification. Harris doubled down on her commitment to represent all Americans, regardless of political stance, while calling for unity over divisiveness.
Yet, for Republicans, these clarifications raise more questions than answers. Stefanik and Comer expressed concern that White House staff might be tampering with official records, stressing the potential breach of the Presidential Records Act, which mandates preservation of all presidential documents. Their letter demands an accurate transcript to be released to the public.
On the campaign trail, Trump seized the opportunity to criticize Biden and Harris, alleging they treat the country “like garbage” and cannot truly lead America without respecting Americans. In the final stretch of a close election, the verbal exchange has intensified, underscoring the fierce divisions that have shaped this election cycle.