Former Vice President Joe Biden Joe BidenPelosi slams Trump executive order on pre-existing conditions: It 'isn't worth the paper it's signed on' Hillicon Valley: Subpoenas for Facebook, Google and Twitter on the cards | Wray rebuffs mail-in voting conspiracies | Reps. raise mass surveillance concerns Fox News poll: Biden ahead of Trump in Nevada, Pennsylvania and Ohio MORE said he understood the racial implications of the term “boy” amid fallout over him using the word in comments reminiscing about his relationship with segregationist former colleagues, according to CNN.

"I do understand the consequence of the word 'boy,'" Biden told MSNBC’s Al Sharpton Saturday in South Carolina. "But it wasn't said in any of that context at all."

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During remarks at a fundraiser last Tuesday, Biden spoke of the “civility” of his relationship with former Sen. James O. Eastland (D-Miss.), a vociferous opponent of the civil rights movement, as an example of working with those he didn't agree with to get things done in the Senate.

"He never called me 'boy,' he always called me 'son,’” Biden said.

Biden told Sharpton that the context for the remark was that Eastland had referred to other younger members of the Senate, including Sen. Ted Kennedy (D-Mass.) as “boy,” but not Biden.

"To the extent that anybody thought that I meant something different, that is not what I intended it," he said. "It'd be wrong for anybody to intend that."

Biden has also drawn heat from his fellow presidential candidates for speaking highly of his cooperation with Eastland and fellow segregationist Sen. Herman Talmadge (D-Ga.), including Sens. Cory Booker Cory Anthony Booker3 reasons why Biden is misreading the politics of court packing Bipartisan praise pours in after Ginsburg's death DHS opens probe into allegations at Georgia ICE facility MORE (D-N.J.), Bernie Sanders Bernie SandersThe Hill's Campaign Report: Trump faces backlash after not committing to peaceful transition of power Bernie Sanders: 'This is an election between Donald Trump and democracy' The Hill's 12:30 Report: Trump stokes fears over November election outcome MORE (I-Vt.) and Kamala Harris Kamala HarrisHundreds of lawyers from nation's oldest African American sorority join effort to fight voter suppression Biden picks up endorsement from progressive climate group 350 Action 3 reasons why Biden is misreading the politics of court packing MORE (D-Calif.) and New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio Bill de BlasioOVERNIGHT ENERGY: California seeks to sell only electric cars by 2035 | EPA threatens to close New York City office after Trump threats to 'anarchist' cities | House energy package sparks criticism from left and right EPA threatens to close New York City office after Trump threats to 'anarchist' cities New Year's Eve in Times Square to be largely virtual amid pandemic MORE.

After Booker called on Biden to apologize, Biden responded that it was Booker who should apologize, with the two reportedly speaking privately about the issue later last week.

"I have a lot of respect and gratitude for the vice president, and I want folks to know I have nothing to apologize for when it comes to speaking truth to power,” Booker said Saturday, according to CNN. “And he's a powerful person a former vice president and I hope that our candor with each other will always help to make each other better servants to the people.”