GOP strategist Tricia McLaughlin responds to Biden's “garbage” controversy and Tony Hinchcliffe's offensive remarks on Puerto Rico

On Forbes Newsroom, Republican strategist Tricia McLaughlin, former senior adviser and communications director to presidential candidate Vivek Ramaswamy, discussed the last-minute controversies that have erupted in the 2024 presidential campaign.

On Sunday, comedian Tony Hinchcliffe caused an uproar when he called Puerto Rico “a floating island of garbage in the middle of the ocean” at a rally at former President Trump's Madison Square Garden. President Joe Biden on Tuesday joined a chorus of Democrats and media members condemning Hinchcliffe's language, adding: “The only garbage I see floating out there is (Trump's) supporters.” After a brief pause, the president added adding: “His demonization of Latinos is unreasonable and un-American.”

McLaughlin said the real issues voters care about — the economy and immigration — should be of real concern to them. “The biggest problems facing Americans right now are the economy and immigration. Of course, we are faced with multiple wars in various locations around the world. That’s what Americans really care about, not name-calling.”

McLaughlin added that the backlash against Hinchcliffe vindicates the Trump campaign and Republicans taking aim at Biden's words and placing some of the blame on Vice President Kamala Harris.

“If Donald Trump is responsible for a comedian making an inappropriate joke, then by the same logic, Kamala Harris must actually be held responsible for calling out for Joe Biden, the sitting President of the United States, while her boss “Half the country called.” Who are Trump supporters? Garbage.”

Biden has tried to downplay the comments on his demonization of Latinos is unconscionable. That’s all I wanted to say.”

Harris said that while Biden “clarified his comments,” he doesn't believe voters should be criticized for who they support.

Watch the full interview above.