Biden's 'garbage' remark boosts Trump's election odds

According to "Newsweek," the bookmakers' reaction stems from Biden's words during a video conference with the Latino organization Voto Latino. The president was referring to comments made by right-wing comedian Tony Hinchcliffe, who at a Trump rally in New York called Puerto Rico, a US territory, an "island of garbage."

The only garbage I see floating out there is his supporters. His demonization of Latinos is unconscionable, and it’s un-American. It’s totally contrary to everything we’ve done, everything we’ve been, said Biden.

This statement sparked strong criticism from Republicans. "He’s talking about everyday Americans who love their country," commented Senator Marco Rubio. Karoline Leavitt, spokeswoman for Trump's campaign committee, claimed that "Joe Biden and Kamala Harris don’t just hate President Trump, they despise the tens of millions of Americans who support him."

On Tuesday evening, Biden clarified his statement on platform X, stating that the term "garbage" referred to the hateful rhetoric against Puerto Ricans, not Trump voters.

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.... The comments at that rally don’t reflect who we are as a nation, wrote Joe Biden.

The shift in political sentiments affected bookmakers' estimates of the election outcome. According to "Newsweek," companies Bet365 and Paddy Power have increased the odds on Trump's victory. In November, they estimated his chances at 66.7 percent, and now those odds are 67.7 percent and 69.2 percent, respectively.

The presidential elections in the US will be held on November 5th. Recent polls indicate a close race between Donald Trump and Kamala Harris.