Reporter Asks Kamala Harris ‘Do You Sympathize’ With Trump Fans ‘Insulted or Offended’ By Garbage Remark

Vice President Kamala Harris was asked if she “sympathizes” with Trump supporters who still feel “insulted or offended” by President Joe Biden’s “garbage” remark about former President Donald Trump’s supporters, despite Biden’s clarification.

President Biden touched off a firestorm Tuesday night with a comment during a Zoom call that was widely interpreted as calling Trump supporters “garbage”:

And just the other day, a speaker at his rally called Puerto Rico a “floating island of garbage.” Well, let me tell you something. I don’t– I– I don’t know the Puerto Rican that– that I know– or a Puerto Rico, where I’m from– in my home state of Delaware, they’re good, decent, honorable people.

The only garbage I see floating out there is his supporters– his– his demonization of Latinos is unconscionable, and it’s un-American. It’s totally contrary to everything we’ve done, everything we’ve been.

The White House immediately clarified, in a statement to Mediaite, that  “The President referred to the hateful rhetoric at the Madison Square Garden rally as garbage.”

Biden himself later clarified as well:

Earlier today I referred to the hateful rhetoric about Puerto Rico spewed by Trump’s supporter at his Madison Square Garden rally as garbage—which is the only word I can think of to describe it. His demonization of Latinos is unconscionable. That’s all I meant to say. The comments at that rally don’t reflect who we are as a nation.

On Wednesday morning, VP Harris spoke to reporters as she boarded Air Force Two for a campaign trip to Raleigh, North Carolina, and was immediately asked to weigh in. Harris noted Biden’s clarification, and said she strongly disagrees with the premise of criticizing people based on who they vote for.

Other reporters asked about the impact of the comment, including whether Harris feels “sympathy” with voters hurt by the remark:

REPORTER: Are you concerned about what impact this may have on voters, on the divisiveness of the election and whether or not it’s going to dissuade some people from supporting you because of your affiliation with president administration?

VP KAMALA HARRIS: I’ve been very clear with the American public. I respect the challenges that people face. I respect the fact that we all have so much more in common than what separates us, and that most people want a president that understands that, they get that and approaches the role of leadership that way.

I’ve been very clear from my earliest years as a prosecutor. I never asked anyone, Are they a Democrat or a Republican? The only thing I ask folks is, are you okay? And that’s the kind of president I will be.

…

REPORTER: Do you sympathize if any voters do feel–.

VP KAMALA HARRIS: Once again?

Do you sympathize with any voters who do feel offended by or insulted by the garbage comment?

VP KAMALA HARRIS: I am running for president of the United States. I will be traveling to three states today to do what I have been doing throughout, which is talking with the American people about the fact that–.

First of all, I get it in terms of the concerns they have about challenges like the price of groceries.

Second, my highest priority is to address that and to lift them up around their ambitions, their aspirations and their dreams, which is why I have a very specific and detailed plan about strengthening our economy. Leading economists who have reviewed my plan and indicated it will strengthen the economy and that Donald Trump’s plan will weaken the economy.

So I’m going to be spending full time, as I’ve been talking with the American people, whoever they voted for last time.

And as I have said and will repeat over and over again, I am sincere in what I mean. When elected president, I have said I will represent all Americans. Including those who don’t vote for me and address their needs and their desires.

Watch above via C-SPAN.