Kamala Harris Distanced Herself From Joe Biden’s ‘Garbage’

The vice president said she “strongly” disagrees with criticizing voters, as Republicans interpreted Biden doing on Tuesday.

Joe Biden, Kamala Harris
Susan Walsh/AP

Vice President Kamala Harris said Wednesday that she “strongly disagree[s] with any criticism of people based on who they vote for,” batting away President Joe Biden’s “garbage” comments amid calls — largely from Republicans — for the president to apologize.

Interpretations of what Biden said in garbled remarks Tuesday night come down to an apostrophe. Speaking over video to Voto Latino, Biden either said Donald Trump’s “supporters” are “garbage” — as Trump and his allies say — or said his “supporter’s … demonization” of Puerto Ricans is “garbage” — as the White House says.

The comment proved to be an immediate distraction for the Harris campaign, with the vice president coming off a speech to a massive crowd Tuesday night that was partially intended to send the exact opposite message.