African American voters 'ain't black' if they vote for Trump: Biden

Democratic White House candidate Joe Biden is in damage limitation mode after saying African Americans "ain't black" if they even consider voting for President Donald Trump over him.

Gaffe-prone Mr Biden made the remark in an interview on Friday with a prominent black radio host, Charlamagne Tha God, about his outreach to black voters.

However, after sparkingaccusations of racism, he recanted his remark andapologized forthe "cavalier" comment.

I shouldn't have been such a wise guy. I shouldn't have been so cavalier,"Bidenlater said on a call with black business leaders, after the remarks sparked uproar.

"I have never, ever taken the African-American community for granted,"he told members of the Black Chamber of Commerce, according to reporters on the call.

Biden, Barack Obama's vice president for eight years, stumbled into the controversy as he was defending his ties to the African-American community, saying he has "overwhelming support" from black leaders and voters.

Throughout the 18-minute interview, Mr Biden, 77, stressed his longstanding ties to the black community, noting his overwhelming win this year in South Carolina's presidential primary, a state where the Democratic electorate is more than 60 per centAfricanAmerican.

The comments, which aired early Friday on New York-based syndicated show The Breakfast Club, quickly sparked reaction from Team Trump.

Donald Trump Jr, the president's son, accusedBidenof a "disgusting & dehumanizing racist mentality."