Internal email reveals that official transcript altered after President Biden’s comments on Trump supporters sparked backlash

In a developing story that has drawn scrutiny to the White House’s handling of presidential communications, it has come to light that officials altered the transcript of a recent call in which President Joe Biden seemingly took a jab at supporters of Donald Trump. This alteration has raised alarms among government stenographers and highlighted concerns over the integrity of official records.

The incident unfolded during a Tuesday evening video call with Latino activists, where Biden responded to derogatory remarks made by comedian Tony Hinchcliffe at a Trump rally, in which Puerto Rico was referred to as a “floating island of garbage.” Biden’s original remarks, as captured by official White House stenographers, included a stark rebuke: “The only garbage I see floating out there is his supporters — his — his demonization of Latinos is unconscionable, and it’s un-American.”

However, the transcript subsequently released by the White House press office altered the wording, changing “supporters” to “supporter’s,” implying that Biden was criticising Hinchcliffe rather than the millions of Americans backing Trump. This revision prompted an internal email from the head of the stenographers’ office, which has been confirmed by two government officials who chose to remain anonymous due to the sensitive nature of the discussion.

The email described the alteration as “a breach of protocol and spoliation of transcript integrity between the Stenography and Press Offices.” It noted that the press office, after consulting with the president, had edited the transcript in a manner that compromised its authenticity. “If there is a difference in interpretation, the Press Office may choose to withhold the transcript but cannot edit it independently,” the supervisor stated, further emphasising the importance of maintaining a consistent record that would be archived by the National Archives.

This episode has raised questions about transparency and accountability in how the White House manages its communications, particularly in a politically charged environment as the 2024 election approaches. Biden’s remarks had already ignited a political firestorm, with Republican figures seizing the opportunity to fundraise off the incident. Trump himself staged a photo op inside a garbage truck the day following Biden’s comments, explicitly aiming to turn the president’s words into a rallying cry for his supporters.

The timing of this incident was particularly significant, as Biden’s remarks clashed with a concurrent speech by Vice President Kamala Harris, who emphasised the need to treat Americans with respect regardless of their political affiliations. This juxtaposition highlighted the contrasting tones within the administration as it navigates a divisive political landscape.

As the fallout from Biden’s comments continues, the altered transcript has become a focal point for critics of the administration. The Trump campaign wasted no time in leveraging the situation, framing Biden’s words as indicative of a broader disdain for Trump’s base. This incident underscores the intense scrutiny that both major parties are under as they prepare for an election that promises to be one of the most contentious in recent history.

The situation raises important discussions about the responsibilities of public officials in maintaining transparency and the ethical implications of altering official records. As the 2024 election looms, how both parties manage their messaging and respond to controversies will be critical in shaping voter perceptions and ultimately influencing the outcome at the polls.