WASHINGTON: An internal email obtained by The Associated Press has revealed a disagreement within the White House regarding President Joe Biden’s recent comments, in which he referred to certain individuals as “garbage.”
On Thursday, the AP reported that officials altered the official transcript of a livestreamed video call during which Biden appeared to take aim at supporters of Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump. Two administration sources confirmed that these changes drew objections from federal workers responsible for documenting such remarks.
Earlier this week, Biden, 81, sparked outrage during a video call with the nonprofit Voto Latino. In a moment of confusion, he attempted to address racist comments made by comedian Tony Hinchcliffe at a Trump rally, where Hinchcliffe referred to Puerto Rico as a “floating island of garbage.”
The original transcript prepared by official White House stenographers indicated Biden said: “The only garbage I see floating out there is his supporters – his – his demonisation of Latinos is unconscionable, and it’s un-American.” However, the version released by the White House changed “supporters” to “supporter’s,” suggesting Biden was specifically targeting the comedian rather than Trump supporters at large.
The AP reported that an internal email from the head of the stenographers’ office indicated that the changes were made after the press office “conferred with the President.” This email’s authenticity was confirmed by two government officials who spoke on condition of anonymity. The stenographers’ office prepares accurate transcripts for preservation by the National Archives. The head of the office described the unauthorized changes as “a breach of protocol.”
Biden quickly sought to clarify his comments on social media, stating he was not referring to all Trump supporters as “garbage” but was specifically addressing the “hateful rhetoric about Puerto Rico” from a Trump supporter at the Madison Square Garden rally.
This controversy unfolded on the same night that Democratic presidential candidate Kamala Harris was scheduled to speak at the National Mall in Washington, D.C. Harris distanced herself from Biden’s remarks, emphasizing the importance of treating Americans with differing ideologies with respect.
Republicans seized on Biden’s comments, with many suggesting they reflected his true feelings about Trump supporters. Trump even donned a safety vest and climbed into a garbage truck, saying, “This is in honor of Kamala and Joe Biden.” House Republicans are now considering an investigation into the alleged release of a “false transcript” of Biden’s remarks.
Agencies
Transcript of Biden’s ‘garbage’ remarks altered by White House: AP
