Jill Biden sorry for comparing Latinos to tacos

US First Lady Jill Biden has apologised for likening Hispanic people to “tacos” in a botched compliment.

Mrs Biden was addressing Latinos in Texas on Monday when she referenced the traditional Mexican snack in her speech.

The National Association of Hispanic Journalists (NAHJ) responded: “We are not tacos”.

On Tuesday, her press secretary said Mrs Biden was sorry and admires the Hispanic community.

Her comment comes as President Joe Biden’s popularity with Hispanic voters has been falling. 

Mrs Biden was addressing a conference in San Antonio on the Hispanic “Quest for Equity” when she said: “The diversity of this community, as distinct as the bodegas of the Bronx, as beautiful as the blossoms of Miami, and as unique as the breakfast tacos here in San Antonio, is your strength”.

She also mispronounced the word “bodegas” – a term for convenience stores borrowed from Spanish – as “bogedas”.

The NAHJ called on Mrs Biden “to take time to better understand” Latinos.

The industry group added: “Our heritage as Latinos is shaped by various diasporas, cultures & food traditions.

“Do not reduce us to stereotypes.”

Responding on Twitter, Mrs Biden’s press secretary said: “The First Lady apologises that her words conveyed anything but pure admiration and love for the Latino community”.

Mrs Biden was previously criticised in March 2021 after botching the pronunciation of the Spanish phrase, “Sí se puede” (Yes we can), in remarks to farmworkers in Delano, California.

Conservatives also seized upon Mrs Biden’s latest remarks.

“No wonder Hispanics are fleeing the Democratic Party!” US Representative Andy Biggs, a Republican from Arizona, wrote on Twitter.

A recent Quinnipiac opinion poll found that only about a quarter (26%) of Hispanic Americans – a key voting bloc for the Democratic Party – approve of Mr Biden’s performance as president, down from 55% a year earlier.

While campaigning for the presidency, Mr Biden was ridiculed when he attempted to court the Hispanic vote by playing Despacito, a Spanish-language pop hit, from his phone.

Former President Donald Trump, during his own 2016 White House run, was also accused of pandering after he tweeted a photo of himself eating tacos with the caption: “I love Hispanics!”