Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden has drawn criticism after calling Trump supporters who interrupted his drive-in rally by honking horns ‘ugly folks.’
‘Dr. Fauci called for a mask mandate last week. This isn’t a political statement like those ugly folks over there, beeping the horn. This is a patriotic duty for God’s sake!’ said Biden at a rally on Friday in St. Paul, Minnesota.
It came less than a minute after Biden had stated: ‘We need a president who will bring us together, not pull us apart.’
The drive-in rally was invite-only, with details sent out to a small list of party activists, and in the parking lot even the cars were socially distanced, parked about 10 to 20 feet apart.
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Biden on Friday called Trump supporters ‘ugly folks’ as they protested outside of his drive-in rally in St. Paul, Minnesota. Above, Trump supporters wave flags in the background of the rally as Biden addresses his loyalists
Biden’s drive-in rally was invite-only, with details sent out to a small list of party activists, and in the parking lot even the cars were socially distanced, parked about 10 to 20 feet apart
Trump supporters protest outside the gates as Democratic Presidential Candidate Joe Biden speaks at a drive-in campaign event at the Minnesota State Fairgrounds in St. Paul, Minnesota on Friday
Outside the perimeter fence, a crowd of Trump supporters gathered, waving flags and displaying signs supporting the Republican candidate.
It followed Biden calling Trump supporters ‘chumps’ when they tried to crash his drive-by rally in Pennsylvania last weekend.
Biden’s critics accused him of echoing Hillary Clinton‘s infamous ‘basket of deplorables’ remark from the 2016 campaign.
‘I guess calling those who support a different political candidate ’chumps and ugly folks’ is a step up from ‘deplorables,” remarked one Twitter user.
Radio host Derek Hunter mocked Biden’s remarks in a tweet, writing in the candidate’s voice: ‘I will end the name-calling and bring the country together, unlike those ugly folks over there, those chumps who disagree with me. They probably work in the oil and gas industry and are whining that I’m going to put them out of work. Oh well, screw them.’
Democratic presidential candidate former Vice President Joe Biden speaks at a rally at the Minnesota State Fairgrounds
Supporters shoot pictures as they listen to Democratic Presidential candidate Joe Biden speak in Minnesota
Supporters attend a rally for Biden at the Minnesota State Fairgrounds in St. Paul on Friday
Trump supporters protest outside the gates as Democratic Presidential Candidate Joe Biden speaks at a drive-in rally
Jason Lewis, a Republican candidate for U.S. Senate in Minnesota, questioned Biden for calling himself the candidate ‘who will bring us together, not pull us apart’ and then insulting his opponent’s supporters.
Biden’s remarks came on a day of dueling Midwest rallies held by himself and President Donald Trump in the final days of the election.
Trump and Biden barnstormed three heartland states each, highlighting their differences in a race overshadowed by the pandemic.
Trump, heralded a “big day” of campaigning as he left the White House, then held a rally in Michigan before heading to Wisconsin and Minnesota, all states battling climbing numbers of virus cases.
Biden was also stumping in Wisconsin and in Minnesota, and held a third drive-in rally in Iowa.
An attendee watches from inside his vehicle as Biden speaks during a drive-in campaign stop in St. Paul
A large crowd of Trump supporters protest as Biden supporters gather to hear Joe Biden in Minnesota
In Minnesota, Biden made a point of condemning looting and violence, something Trump frequently claims he will not do.
‘While Donald Trump failed to condemn white supremacy, we can deliver on racial justice,’ Biden said at another one of his car rallies, this time in St. Paul.
‘The season of protest has broken out across the nation because the life and dignity of George Floyd , senselessly killed seven miles from here and so many others that mattered,’ he said.
‘Protesting and burning and looting Is not protesting. It’s violence, clear and simple, and will not be tolerated,’ Biden said, alluding to the street violence that occurred after video aired of Floyd’s killing.
But then he spoke to the peaceful protests that set off a nationwide movement. ‘But these protests are a cry for justice,’ Biden said.
‘True justice is also economic justice, access to schooling, housing, access to capital,’ he said.
