The comment quickly gained traction online, prompting immediate backlash from critics.
"That's disgusting," said Republican vice presidential nominee JD Vance. "Kamala Harris and her boss Joe Biden are attacking half the country. There's no justification for this, and I hope Americans reject it."
Senator Tom Cotton (R-Ark.) added, "Kamala Harris expressed outrage over a comedian’s joke. If she has any decency or integrity, she should condemn Joe Biden's disgraceful statement labeling half of America as 'garbage.'"
CNN contributor Scott Jennings remarked, "Woof. He calls half the country 'garbage' while Harris speaks."
Ruthless podcast co-host Josh Holmes questioned, "So, the president is outraged by a comedian, yet he borrows that 'garbage' characterization for half of America? I assume the cable news will be all over this tomorrow?"
Fox News contributor Joe Concha noted, "It's remarkable how Biden managed to overshadow Kamala's speech in the worst way possible."
Jewish Insider editor-in-chief Josh Kraushaar drew parallels to past elections, stating, "Shades of Hillary’s 'deplorables'… This election has strong 2016 vibes."
Business Insider reporter Bryan Metzger quipped, "If you’re wondering why Biden wasn’t at the rally that Kamala Harris just held near his home…"
Trump himself responded to the "terrible" comment during a rally in Allentown, Pennsylvania.
"Remember Hillary? She called people 'deplorable' and 'irredeemable,' right? 'Garbage' is even worse," Trump told his supporters. "But you have to forgive him; he doesn’t know what he’s saying."
He added with a grin, "And I’m convinced he likes me more than he likes Kamala."