During a recent fundraising video call, President Joe Biden sparked controversy by referring to Donald Trump's supporters as "garbage," causing a rift within the Democratic Party.

Following Biden's remarks, liberal leaders quickly distanced themselves from the president, calling for respect and unity among all voters, as the Daily Mail reports.

The incident occurred while Vice President Kamala Harris was promoting unity in a speech very near the White House. At the same time, Biden, via a fundraising Zoom call, targeted the faction of voters loyal to the former president.

Responding to the fallout, Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro was among the first to publicly reject Biden's approach, advocating for a respectful political dialogue in an interview with CNN's Kaitlan Collins.

"I had not heard that until now, Kaitlan, so I'm kind of giving you my fresh reaction to it," Shapiro commented during an interview, expressing his commitment to respectful discourse.

Democratic Leaders Emphasize Unity Over Division

Harris quickly attempted to address the controversy, underscoring her disagreement with statements of that nature. She reaffirmed her dedication to serving all Americans, regardless of their political affiliations.

"First of all, he clarified his comments. I strongly disagree with any criticism of people based on who they voted for," Harris stated, reflecting her intention to bridge divides rather than deepen them.

Harris continued, "I will be a president for all Americans, whether you voted for me or not," emphasizing her inclusive approach to governance.

White House Attempts to Clarify Biden's Remarks

In an effort to mitigate the backlash, the White House spokesperson Andrew Bates intervened, suggesting that Biden's comments were aimed at the hateful rhetoric seen at Trump's recent rally, rather than the supporters themselves.

"The president referred to the hateful rhetoric at the Madison Square Garden rally as 'garbage,'" Bates clarified, attempting to refocus the narrative on the content of the rhetoric rather than the individuals.

This clarification came as Democrats, including Tim Walz, Harris's running mate, took to the media to redirect criticism towards Trump's allegedly divisive statements.

Harris and Walz Lead Damage Control Efforts

Walz played a significant role in the damage control efforts, reinforcing Harris's message of unity and inclusivity in subsequent interviews.

"No, certainly not," Walz responded when asked if Biden's remarks undercut their unified message. He continued to criticize Trump's approach, calling for an end to divisive politics altogether.

Meanwhile, an unnamed Biden ally defended the President in a Politico interview, highlighting Biden's historical bipartisan friendships and suggesting his remarks were a misstep rather than reflective of his usual stance.

Focus Shifts Away from Trump

Biden's gaffe unfortunately shifted media attention away from allegedly racist comments made by a comedian at a recent Trump rally, thereby complicating the Democratic Party strategy to appeal to moderate Republicans and independents.

The unnamed ally provided a broader perspective on Biden's interpersonal style, "The man is from Scranton, Pennsylvania. He likes Republicans," indicating Biden's long-standing willingness to engage across the aisle.

The ally further noted Biden's historical relationships with controversial figures, suggesting a complexity in Biden's political interactions that may have been overlooked in the immediate reaction to his comments.

Democratic Party Wrestles with Internal Dissent

The Democratic Party now faces the challenge of reconciling Biden's remarks with their broader electoral strategy, which emphasizes tolerance and outreach to all voter segments.

This incident underlines the delicate balance political leaders must maintain in their rhetoric, especially in a polarized environment where every word can have significant electoral implications.

As the Democratic Party navigates this controversy, the focus remains on mending fences and promoting a message that resonates with a diverse American electorate.