Trump, allies link Biden's 'garbage' comment to Clinton's 2016 'deplorables' remark

WASHINGTON - Donald Trump and his allies are trying to recreate a moment that resonated deeply with his supporters in the 2016 campaign: when Mrs. Hillary Clinton referred to Trump supporters as a "basket of deplorables".

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On Oct. 29, it was US President Joe Biden who provided the ammunition, appearing to call Trump supporters "garbage" while talking to Latino allies by video.

"Just the other day, a speaker at his rally called Puerto Rico a 'floating island of garbage,'" Mr. Biden said, adding what sounded like: "The only garbage I see floating out there is his supporters - his demonization of Latinos is unconscionable, and it's un-American."

The White House insisted that what Mr. Biden had said was "his supporter's demonization," referring only to the comic who initially insulted Puerto Ricans with an offensive joke at Trump's New York rally on Oct. 27.

Trump's allies insisted the meaning was clear.

Within minutes of the clip of Mr. Biden's remarks going viral on social media on the night of Oct. 29, Senator Marco Rubio of Florida addressed Trump's rally in Allentown, Pennsylvania, and informed the crowd of Biden's statement.

"I have breaking news for you, Mr. President - you may not have heard this," Mr. Rubio told the audience after Trump had called him up to the stage and stood next to him. "Just moments ago, Joe Biden stated that our supporters are garbage - are garbage."