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Puerto Rican Veteran Fires Back at Biden: ‘He Speaks, and Out Comes Garbage’
Edited by: Fern Sidman
Following President Joe Biden’s recent remarks describing Donald Trump supporters as “the only garbage I see floating out there,” Jessie Anderson, a Puerto Rican Army veteran, shared her frustration, calling Biden’s comments divisive and dismissive. As reported by The New York Post, Anderson, a decade-long Army veteran from Johnstown, Pennsylvania, spoke candidly about her disappointment with the president’s choice of words. Wearing a bold red “Latina Veteran for Trump” T-shirt, Anderson passionately urged her fellow Puerto Ricans to consider the policies and leadership Trump advocates, emphasizing the economic impact of recent Democratic policies on everyday Americans.
“Biden is a bumbling idiot—point blank,” Anderson said, expressing her frustration over the president’s rhetoric. “He starts talking, and then garbage literally flies out of his mouth.” Anderson’s strong response comes after Biden’s remarks, which were spurred by a comment from comedian Tony Hinchcliffe, who referred to Puerto Rico as a “floating island of garbage” during a Trump rally on Sunday at Madison Square Garden. While Anderson found Hinchcliffe’s comment “insulting,” she placed no blame on Trump, noting that Trump quickly distanced himself from the comedian’s words.
🚨 #BREAKING: AP has CONFIRMED the White House ILLEGALLY ALTERED the transcript of Joe Biden calling Trump supports “garbage”
This is a BLATANT violation of the Presidential Records Act, and WH press officials MUST BE PROSECUTED.
DO NOT LET THEM GET AWAY WITH THIS! pic.twitter.com/0EisKXVvUc
— Nick Sortor (@nicksortor) November 1, 2024
According to the report in The New York Post, Anderson’s criticisms extend beyond Biden’s recent comment, as she called attention to the Democratic Party’s divisive approach to political discourse. “We live in a democratic nation, one where there are multiple parties,” she said. “Why are you going to resort to name-calling and isolating another party?” Anderson emphasized her concern that the Democratic Party has shifted away from unity, accusing it of fueling division. “The Democratic Party is now a party of division. They’re dividing the United States. They’re inciting violence. They’re inciting hate. We cannot have that in our nation. We are one nation under God.”
The veteran’s call for unity reflects her concern that Americans are increasingly separated by political labels rather than shared values. Anderson criticized Biden for his blanket characterization of Trump supporters, echoing the frustration felt by many who recall Hillary Clinton’s infamous 2016 “basket of deplorables” comment, which similarly alienated many conservative voters. For Anderson, Biden’s remark was not just political rhetoric but a harmful expression that further distances Americans from each other.
Throughout her interview, Anderson highlighted the economic concerns driving her support for Trump. As a Puerto Rican and an Army combat medic, she urged her community to reflect on the rising cost of living under the current administration. “Look at your pockets. Look at the price of food. You go to las compras. How much are you spending?” she asked, using the Spanish term for “stores.” Anderson pointed to inflation and food prices as direct impacts on families’ financial stability and expressed her belief that Trump’s leadership could alleviate some of these economic strains. “Trump is an absolute force of peace, power, and success. Get out and vote for him. Our nation needs him. Our pockets need him.”
The New York Post report also noted that Anderson’s position reflects the sentiments of many Puerto Rican voters in Pennsylvania, a key swing state where nearly half a million residents are of Puerto Rican descent. Biden’s comment and Hinchcliffe’s joke have drawn significant backlash in this community, which feels increasingly targeted by disparaging language. Anderson, however, turned the criticism back toward Biden’s administration, particularly regarding Puerto Rico’s ongoing recovery from Hurricane Ernesto. “If you want to go ahead and say ‘Puerto Rico is a floating pile of trash,’ maybe it’s because Biden has done nothing to clean it up. Bam,” she stated, alluding to the administration’s slow response to disaster relief and infrastructure development on the island.
Anderson’s remarks come amid a highly competitive race between Trump and Vice President Kamala Harris, with polls indicating a close contest. Anderson’s fiery comments are emblematic of a broader frustration within parts of the Hispanic community, which she believes is increasingly disillusioned with Democratic policies that have not adequately addressed issues affecting Puerto Ricans both on the island and in the mainland United States.
Reflecting on her heritage and values, Anderson closed with a reminder of her cultural pride. “I have a temper. I’m a spicy Puerto Rican,” she said with a smile, as per The New York Post report. As a former Army drill sergeant, Anderson’s pride in her service and cultural heritage drive her commitment to her beliefs, and she remains determined to speak out against language that she feels undermines her community.
In her outspoken response, Anderson stands as an example of Trump supporters who reject elitist or dismissive labels. Her criticism of Biden shines a proverbial spotlight on a broader sentiment among conservative-leaning voters who see themselves as marginalized in the national discourse. For Anderson, political rhetoric that disparages one’s supporters reflects a troubling trend in American politics, one that she believes only serves to divide the nation further. Her words echo the message of unity, pride, and resilience, a stance that resonates with many in the Puerto Rican and veteran communities alike as they navigate the complexities of the 2024 election.
