Last US election: Harris promises an end to “drama and conflict” – but Biden’s “rubbish” comment sparks controversy

Peter Bowes
North America correspondent

Could President Biden's comment, which appeared to compare Trump supporters to floating trash at the first hearing, overshadow Kamala Harris' big night and potentially harm her campaign?

Donald Trump learned about it while speaking in Pennsylvania, where Florida Sen. Marco Rubio took the stage to hand Trump a “breaking news” note.

The Republican candidate immediately thought of Hillary Clinton's remark during the 2016 campaign that half of his supporters came from a “basket of deplorables.”

Trump repeated this phrase to his advantage for the rest of the election campaign, which he won.

The White House quickly tried to clarify that Biden, not Trump's supporters, called the “hateful rhetoric” “garbage” — but the words won't go away.

A comedian's crude joke about Puerto Rico — a potential embarrassment for Trump — may have turned into an awkward issue for both candidates.