Biden Attempts To Clarify Comments
Kamala Harris’ big moment turned out to be a total fiasco, thanks to a few choice words from President Joe Biden that stole her spotlight in the worst way possible.
Harris was all set to make her closing argument to voters in Washington, D.C., a rally she hoped would rally support as the 2024 election nears its end. But instead, her campaign day took a backseat to Biden’s eyebrow-raising remark branding Trump supporters as “garbage.”
Unreal. Politico edited Biden’s direct quote which we literally have on record, to cover for Biden and Kamala.
This is Orwellian pic.twitter.com/hukbccmExj
— Libs of TikTok (@libsoftiktok) October 30, 2024
Biden’s comment, unsurprisingly, stirred up a media storm. It was one of those rare moments in politics when someone blurts out the “quiet part” — the unfiltered thoughts often left unsaid on the campaign trail. Yet, just as quickly as Biden’s words hit the airwaves, some media outlets sprang into action to “clarify” his comments.
Mainstream outlets walked a fine line, with headlines softening Biden’s remark or outright downplaying it. Even seasoned political voices like Chris Cillizza, formerly of CNN, struggled to spin the story into damage control, though Politico went so far as to paint it as “taken out of context” — an almost Orwellian turn of phrase.
You know, having listened to this several times, I think you have an octogenarian with a stutter for whom clarity is an increasing challenge.
Precisely why Biden was eased from race for reelection.
Really don’t sense he’s calling Trump supporters garbage. Ymmv. https://t.co/RpdEh09fmh
— David Folkenflik (@davidfolkenflik) October 30, 2024
As social media quickly pointed out, the situation had a darkly comedic edge: a double scandal. On one side, Biden alienated millions of Americans with a brash statement, and on the other, major news outlets scrambled to clean up the mess in real-time.
The video, however, doesn’t lie, and Biden’s comment now hangs over Harris’ final campaign push like a storm cloud. Instead of generating positive coverage for the vice president’s campaign, the focus has shifted entirely to Biden’s off-the-cuff remark.
We got two scandals for the price of one.
Joe Biden calling half the country garbage.
And @politico‘s @JonLemire editing his remarks to cover it up.
— Sunny (@sunnyright) October 30, 2024
For Kamala Harris and her team, it’s likely a moment of simmering frustration. Her rally, meant to energize her base, is overshadowed by a controversy created by the very leader she’s running alongside.