President Joe Biden faced renewed criticism after a series of controversial remarks during a rally in Scranton, Pennsylvania, on Saturday. Campaigning alongside Vice President Kamala Harris and Minnesota Governor Tim Walz at a Carpenters Local Union 445 event, Biden stirred controversy with his language, including an unexpected comment about “smacking MAGA Republicans in the ass.” This latest comment follows his earlier remarks calling Trump supporters “garbage,” a statement that drew immediate backlash and caused a ripple effect in the Harris campaign.
Biden’s controversial statements come as he amps up campaign efforts leading into the 2024 election. Addressing the crowd in Scranton, he spoke with his trademark intensity, but his remarks quickly veered into unexpected territory. While referring to the Trump-aligned supporters of his Republican opponent, Biden said, “These are the kinds of guys you like to SMACK in the ass,” punctuating the statement with clenched teeth and a determined expression. The unusual phrasing sparked confusion and criticism, with many questioning the choice of words from a sitting president addressing his political opposition.
The video of Biden’s remark quickly spread on social media, amplified by conservative commentators and critics. Steve Cortes, a well-known conservative commentator, posted a clip of Biden’s speech on X (formerly Twitter) with the caption: “This guy is supposedly running the most powerful nation on Earth…” This sentiment resonated with many critics, who viewed Biden’s comment as both bizarre and inappropriate for a national leader.
WATCH:
🚨Joe Biden on Trump-supporting Republicans:
“These are the kinds of guys you like to smack in the ass.”
This guy is supposedly running the most powerful nation on Earth… pic.twitter.com/g1iY193x6l
— Steve Cortes (@CortesSteve) November 2, 2024
This incident followed another remark from Biden earlier in the week that created additional challenges for Harris’s campaign. During a Zoom call with Democratic supporters, Biden had referred to Trump’s base as “garbage.” The president’s remarks came while Harris was delivering a speech at the Ellipse in Washington, D.C., creating an uncomfortable contrast between the two messaging strategies.
Biden’s Zoom call centered around Trump’s perceived failures, especially in relation to the Latino community. Addressing an incident in which a comedian at a Trump rally had referred to Puerto Rico in derogatory terms, Biden remarked, “The only garbage I see floating out there is his supporters,” a comment that many saw as divisive.
The backlash to this language was swift, particularly among Republicans and right-leaning media outlets, who called out Biden for inflammatory rhetoric against American citizens. The Biden administration has often framed itself as aiming for unity and civility, a stance that critics argue is undercut by comments such as these.
The broader reaction has further highlighted a brewing divide within the Democratic Party over campaign messaging. Biden’s aggressive language contrasts with Harris’s more targeted policy discussions, creating challenges for her team as she navigates her role as vice president and a potential future candidate. Harris has frequently focused on voter engagement and policy differences, often avoiding the direct personal attacks that Biden’s remarks on Trump and his supporters have embodied. For Harris’s campaign, Biden’s remarks have complicated the task of appealing to moderate and independent voters, some of whom may be put off by what they view as divisive language.
Democratic strategists are reportedly divided on the effect of Biden’s comments. Some argue that the president’s blunt approach energizes the Democratic base, particularly those who view Trump as a direct threat to American democracy. Others, however, worry that such remarks alienate swing voters and could reinforce a narrative of division within the party.
For the GOP, Biden’s words have presented an opportunity to attack the Democratic administration’s messaging. Republican leaders have seized upon the “garbage” comment as evidence of what they say is the Biden administration’s disregard for a significant segment of the American population. GOP spokespeople have been quick to frame Biden’s comments as emblematic of the Democrats’ supposed contempt for conservative voters, rallying their base in response.
Biden’s reference to “smacking” Republicans has also sparked widespread online debate, with some mocking the phrasing as odd and unnecessary, while others expressed deeper concerns about civility in political discourse. Though Biden’s supporters argue that Trump has similarly attacked his political opponents in harsh terms, critics insist that Biden’s comments cross a line for someone who has frequently campaigned on restoring civility to American politics.
The episode underscores the growing scrutiny Biden faces as he prepares for a challenging election season. With Harris expected to take on an increasingly prominent role in campaigning, her team is tasked with distancing her message from the divisive overtones that have characterized some of Biden’s remarks. In a political climate as polarized as the current one, each comment and campaign moment can reverberate widely, impacting not only immediate public perception but also the long-term strategies of both parties.
As the 2024 election season progresses, Biden and Harris’s respective teams will need to navigate these challenges carefully, balancing the need to energize the Democratic base while also appealing to the broader electorate. For now, Biden’s recent remarks have added fuel to an already charged political atmosphere, drawing attention from both supporters and critics alike.
