Biden's comments came after comedian Tony Hinchcliffe said Puerto Rico was a “floating island of garbage” at the former president's rally at Madison Square Garden. Biden said during a Zoom call with a nonprofit that the only “trash” he “saw floating out there” was “the trash of his supporters,” although it was not clear at the time whether he was referring to Hinchcliffe or included all Trump supporters. Many Republicans interpreted it as the latter.

“I would never insult the good people of Pennsylvania or any American even if they chose to support a candidate I did not support,” Shapiro said on CNN's “The Source” when asked about Biden's election remark was asked.

The White House had sought to clarify Biden's comments, saying he called the rhetoric at the Madison Square Garden rally “garbage.” Pressed on whether he believed Biden needed to speak out and clarify his comment, Shapiro said the president “will decide what he wants to say.”