The White House has altered President Biden’s transcript, sparking a major protocol breach. This controversial change, confirmed through an email.
In the email, a supervisor directly warned about the “breach of protocol and spoilation of transcript integrity between the Stenography and Press Offices.” The message also emphasized that the Press Office cannot unilaterally edit the transcript, stating, “If there is a difference in interpretation, the Press Office may choose to withhold the transcript but cannot edit it independently,” the supervisor wrote in the email. “Our Stenography Office transcript — released to our distro, which includes the National Archives — is now different than the version edited and released to the public by Press Office staff.”
Stenographers Speak Out on Protocol Concerns
In response to the incident, Director of White House Stenography Amy Sands called out the Press Office’s actions, reiterating the importance of maintaining protocol. Sands wrote, After last night’s process, our team would like to reiterate that rush drafts/excerpts the Stenography Office sends to assist the Press Office are not intended for public distribution or as the final version of the transcript. “Please avoid sharing rush drafts/excerpts, which are subject to review and might create confusion among staff, media, and the public while our Stenography Office completes a thorough review process.”
White House Responds, but Clarity Remains Elusive
White House spokesperson Andrew Bates, contacted for comment, maintained that President Biden was addressing “the hateful rhetoric from the comedian at Trump’s Madison Square Garden rally.” Bates added, “The President confirmed in his tweet on Tuesday evening that he was addressing the hateful rhetoric from the comedian at Trump’s Madison Square Garden rally. That was reflected in the transcript.”
What remains uncertain, however, is whether the transcript Bates references is the altered version released to the press or the final version that was archived.
Biden’s Controversial “Garbage” Remark Sparks Reactions
The transcript dispute stems from a virtual Harris campaign call where Biden criticized former President Trump’s Madison Square Garden rally. Comedian Tony Hinchcliffe, at that rally, had referred to Puerto Rico as “floating island of garbage.”
“The only garbage I see floating out there is his supporters,” Biden said. “His demonization of Latinos is unconscionable and it is un-American.”.”
The original White House stenographers’ transcript included the term “supporters.” However, the White House press office altered this to “supporter’s,” implying Biden targeted Hinchcliffe, not Trump’s base as a whole. An internal email from the head of the stenographers’ office revealed the change followed a consultation with the President.
Trump and Harris Weigh In
Social media quickly spread Biden’s “garbage” remark, just as Vice President Kamala Harris delivered her final pitch to voters outside the White House. Attempting to clarify, Biden took to X, writing, “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.”
Meanwhile, Trump responded to Biden’s comments while rallying in Allentown, Pennsylvania. Comparing Biden’s remark to Clinton’s “deplorables” comment, Trump said, “Remember Hillary? She said ‘deplorable’ and then said ‘irredeemable,’ right? But she said ‘deplorable.’ That didn’t work out. ‘Garbage’ I think is worse,” Trump said to his supporters. “But he doesn’t know— you have to please forgive him. Please forgive him. For he not knoweth what he said.”
Trump joked, “And I’m convinced he likes me more than he likes Kamala.”
Trump went on to mock Biden’s remark further by posing in a garbage truck in Green Bay, Wisconsin, wearing a neon safety vest — a moment that made headlines.
Harris Distances Herself from Biden’s Comment
Vice President Harris addressed reporters, attempting to downplay Biden’s remark while reinforcing her own message. “I think that first of all, he clarified his comments,” Harris said. “But let me be clear, I strongly disagree with any criticism of people based on who they vote for.” She went on to express her commitment to representing all Americans, adding that I believe my work is about representing all Americans, whether they support me or not.
Harris confirmed she had spoken to Biden on Tuesday night but did not discuss the “garbage” comment with him.
