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Harris surrogate responds to fallout from Biden's 'garbage' comment

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WASHINGTON – Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro, a top surrogate to Vice President Kamala Harris, responded to the fallout from President Joe Biden's “garbage” comments Tuesday night that many Republicans claimed were aimed at Donald Trump's fans .

Biden's comments came after comedian Tony Hinchcliffe said Puerto Rico was a “floating island of garbage” at the former president's rally at Madison Square Garden. Biden said during a Zoom call with a nonprofit that the only “trash” he “saw floating out there” was “the trash of his supporters,” although it was not clear at the time whether he was referring to Hinchcliffe or included all Trump supporters. Many Republicans interpreted it as the latter.

“I would never insult the good people of Pennsylvania or any American even if they chose to support a candidate I did not support,” Shapiro said on CNN's “The Source” when asked about Biden's election remark was asked.

The White House had sought to clarify Biden's comments, saying he called the rhetoric at the Madison Square Garden rally “garbage.” Pressed on whether he believed Biden needed to speak out and clarify his comment, Shapiro said the president “will decide what he wants to say.”

“They're certainly not words I would choose, and I think it's important that we continue to focus on the contrast between Kamala Harris and Donald Trump and not attack the supporters of either candidate,” Shapiro said.

Biden later posted on

His comments drew a sharp rebuke from Trump, who called them “horrible” at a rally in Allentown, Pennsylvania, on Tuesday. Other Republicans, including Texas Sen. John Cornyn and Rep. Majorie Taylor Greene, also criticized him on X.

Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz commented on Biden's comments on “Good Morning America” ​​on Wednesday, saying, “The president has clarified his comment, but let's be very clear: The vice president and I have made it absolutely clear that we want to share it with everyone.”

Contributor: Karissa Waddick, David Jackson and Rebecca Morin, USA TODAY