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Walz downplays Biden’s ‘trash’ remarks about Trump supporters
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Walz downplays Biden’s ‘trash’ remarks about Trump supporters

Democratic vice-presidential candidate and Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz told ABC’s “Good Morning America” ​​Wednesday that presidential candidate and Vice President Kamala Harris will bring what of which “Americans are hungry: a unifying president, who wants to find solutions”.

Walz also sought Wednesday to downplay the president’s comments Joe Bidenwho, the day before, had apparently called supporters of the Republican ticket “trash” in response to the former president Donald Trumpat the controversial Madison Square Garden rally.

Speaking during a Voto Latino campaign call, Biden had referenced a joke from comedian Tony Hinchcliffe at Trump’s Sunday event at Madison Square Garden.

“The other day a speaker at his rally called Puerto Rico a ‘floating island of garbage,’” Biden said, according to a CNN video clip.

“The only trash I see floating around out there is his supporters,” the president seemed to say. Biden later said the comment was only in reference to the comedian in question, not Trump supporters in general.

Asked Wednesday about Biden’s comments, Walz said, “The president has clarified his remarks.”

“Let’s be very clear,” Walz added. “The vice president and I have been very clear that we want everyone to be a part of this.”

Taking questions from reporters on the tarmac at Joint Base Andrews on Wednesday, Harris responded to questions about Biden’s comment.

“Look, I think, first of all, he clarified his comments, but let me be clear: I strongly disagree with any criticism of people based on who they vote for,” Harris said . “You heard my speech last night and continually throughout my career. I believe the work I do is to represent all people, whether they support me or not. And as President of the United States, I will be a president for all Americans, whether you vote for me or not.

Asked if she had spoken with Biden about the comments, the vice president said, “He called me last night, but it didn’t come up.”

Republicans used Biden’s comments to energize their supporters. Trump’s running mate JD Vance, for example, called Biden’s comments “disgusting,” adding: “Kamala Harris and her boss Joe Biden are attacking half the country. There is no excuse for this. I hope the Americans reject it. »

With less than a week left in the campaign, Walz said Harris’ speech Tuesday night at the Ellipse in Washington, D.C., presented “the rhetoric that a president of UNITED STATES given.”

The Democratic Party, he added, is “the one that understands that we are all in this together, the one that welcomes meaningful debate on these issues.”

Walz said “dissenting voices” would have “a seat at the table because that’s how we find real solutions.”

The Minnesota governor likened Harris’ remarks to former President Donald Trump’s “divisive rhetoric,” which he said “must end.”

Harris’ final argument at the Ellipse addressed Trump while calling for unity.

“Unlike Donald Trump, I don’t believe that those who disagree with me are the enemy,” Harris said. “He wants to put them in jail; I will give them a seat at the table,” she added, referring to her campaign plan to include a Republican in her cabinet if elected.

“I promise to approach my work with the joy and optimism that comes from making a difference in people’s lives,” Harris said.

“And I am committed to being a president for all Americans – and to always putting country before party and self,” Harris added.

Walz told “Good Morning America” ​​that the campaign is confident.

“We win this game,” he said. “There’s energy there. I’ve done this long enough to know that these things are earned in the end. We don’t take anything for granted.”

“We know it will be close,” Walz added. “We have the best ground game. We have momentum on our side.”

“There will be a clear outcome,” Walz said when asked about his concerns for the final week of the campaign.

“My biggest concern is that Donald Trump has brought pessimism to people. People believe their votes don’t matter. Your vote matters. Go ahead. Participate in this democracy.”

“I think you’re going to see Donald Trump continue to descend into this really difficult and hateful rhetoric,” he added.

“We’ve seen our citizens in Puerto Rico have to endure this. We’ve seen it in Ohio with people. This is what’s going to end.”

Trump, meanwhile, defended the MSG event as a “love fest” and said it was an “honor to be involved.”

ABC News’ Will McDuffie, Gabriella Abdul-Hakim and Fritz Farrow contributed to this report.

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