WASHINGTON – President Joe Biden criticized inappropriate jokes made by podcast host Tony Hinchcliffe regarding Puerto Rico during Donald Trump’s rally at Madison Square Garden over the weekend. However, his comments quickly drew ire from many Republican leaders, who felt he was disrespectful towards Trump’s supporters.

During a Zoom call with Voto Latino, an organization aimed at motivating Latino and Hispanic youth to engage politically, Biden stated, “Just the other day, a speaker at his rally called Puerto Rico a ‘floating island of garbage.’” He described the Puerto Rican individuals he knew from Delaware as “good, decent, honorable people.”

Biden further remarked that the only “garbage” he noticed was “floating out there,” leaving some ambiguity about whether he was only targeting Hinchcliffe’s remarks or Trump’s entire base. The White House later shared a transcript to clarify that Biden was indeed referring to Hinchcliffe.

Biden’s statement was quickly condemned by Republican lawmakers.

“He just called half the country garbage. Despicable,” tweeted Senator John Cornyn, R-Texas.

Meanwhile, Trump, addressing supporters in Allentown, Pennsylvania, labeled Biden’s comments as “terrible,” drawing a parallel to Hillary Clinton’s 2016 description of some of Trump’s followers as “deplorables.” Trump remarked that “garbage” was an even harsher term and humorously asked the crowd to excuse Biden because he seemed confused.

Later in the evening, Biden clarified on X, previously known as Twitter, that he was actually referring to “the hateful rhetoric about Puerto Rico from Trump’s supporter,” Hinchcliffe. He added, “His demonization of Latinos is unconscionable. That’s what I meant to convey. The comments at that rally are not representative of who we are as a nation.”

Andrew Bates, Senior Deputy Press Secretary at the White House, echoed Biden’s sentiment in a statement, reiterating that the “garbage” reference was aimed at the “hateful rhetoric” from the Madison Square Garden rally and posted a transcript of Biden’s remarks on X.

Biden’s remarks came as Democratic presidential nominee and Vice President Kamala Harris spoke in Washington, D.C., advocating for the country to move beyond divisive language and instead embrace unity and collaboration.

When asked for comments, the Harris campaign directed YSL News to Bates’ statement.

Throughout the campaign, Harris and Trump have publicly exchanged insults, branding each other as fascists among other names, while both attempting to position themselves as the candidate who will heal the country’s partisan divides.