Harris distances herself from Biden's 'garbage' comment

ABC News' Mary Bruce asked her what she thought erstwhile she heard Biden's comment.

Vice President Kamala Harris continues to region herself from President Joe Biden's "garbage" comment being seized connected by Republicans successful nan last days of nan 2024 campaign.

"Trump says that while you were making your closing transportation for unity past night, President Biden was calling his supporters garbage. What did you deliberation erstwhile you heard President Biden make those comments?" ABC News Chief White House Correspondent Mary Bruce asked Harris successful an exclusive question and reply straight aft her rally connected Wednesday successful battleground North Carolina.

"Well, first of all, I deliberation that nan president has explained what he meant," Harris responded. "But I said it earlier, I powerfully disagree pinch immoderate disapproval of nan group based connected who they ballot for and I've made that clear passim my career, including my reside past nighttime earlier I deliberation this each happened, which is I intend to beryllium president for each Americans, and including those who whitethorn not ballot for maine successful this election."

"I return very earnestly my responsibility and my oath to interest myself first pinch nan needs of nan American group and put them earlier immoderate mightiness beryllium my selfish issues," Harris added.

Democratic statesmanlike nominee Vice President Kamala Harris delivers remarks during a run arena astatine nan Ellipse adjacent nan White House successful Washington, Oct. 29, 2024.

Stephanie Scarbrough/AP

Biden group disconnected a firestorm aft appearing to telephone Trump supporters "garbage" arsenic he participated successful a Voto Latino run telephone connected Tuesday night.

Republicans pounced connected nan comments arsenic an reproach to half of voters successful nan state who support nan erstwhile president.

Biden and nan White House based on he was referring to racist remarks made by speakers astatine Trump's Madison Square Garden rally connected Sunday, including comedian Tony Hinchcliffe's remark calling Puerto Rico a "floating land of garbage."

The White House released a transcript of Biden's remarks pinch a jealous apostrophe connected nan connection "supporters."

"Well, fto maine show you something. I don't -- I -- I don't cognize nan Puerto Rican that -- that I cognize -- aliases a Puerto Rico, wherever I'm fr- -- successful my location authorities of Delaware, they're good, decent, honorable people. The only garbage I spot floating retired location is his supporter's -- his -- his demonization of Latinos is unconscionable, and it's un-American. It's wholly contrary to everything we've done, everything we've been," Biden said.

Biden besides offered an mentation successful his ain statement.

"Earlier coming I referred to nan hateful rhetoric astir Puerto Rico spewed by Trump's protagonist astatine his Madison Square Garden rally arsenic garbage -- which is nan only connection I tin deliberation of to picture it. His demonization of Latinos is unconscionable," he said. "That's each I meant to say. The comments astatine that rally don't bespeak who we are arsenic a nation."

White House property caput Karine Jean-Pierre besides did harm power arsenic she was peppered pinch questions astatine Wednesday's property briefing connected nan comment.

"No, he does not position Trump supporters aliases anybody who supports Trump arsenic garbage," Jean-Pierre said.