Former President Donald Trump sparked new attention with a stunt involving a garbage truck after President Joe Biden’s recent remarks that some interpreted as referring to Trump supporters as “garbage.” Trump arrived at a rally in Wisconsin in a garbage truck, using it as a prop to criticize the Biden administration. This comes shortly after Trump himself controversially described the U.S. as a “garbage can for the world” during an immigration-heavy speech in Arizona, a comment aimed at the country’s immigration policies under Biden.
Recently, former President Donald Trump grabbed headlines with a bold move: arriving at a rally in Wisconsin in a garbage truck. The appearance was a symbolic jab following President Joe Biden’s comments that some interpreted as disparaging Trump supporters as “garbage.” The truck wasn’t just for show. Trump used it as a platform to hammer down his criticism of Biden’s immigration policies, echoing sentiments he had recently shared in Arizona where he labeled the U.S. as a “garbage can for the world” because of what he calls lax border enforcement.
The symbolic entrance served a dual purpose: drawing attention to his stance on immigration while responding to Biden’s comments. Trump stated that America’s borders under the current administration are “wide open,” bringing in problems that he believes are contributing to a national decline. His statements highlighted his intent to enforce stricter immigration policies, vowing to launch one of the largest deportation efforts in history if reelected.
This rally stunt is a glimpse into Trump’s strategy as he campaigns for the 2024 election, taking a dramatic approach to amplify his key messages.
How it began
Harris addressed the Biden comments earlier Wednesday, telling reporters, “I strongly disagree with any criticism of people based on who they vote for.”
“I believe that the work that I do is about representing all the people, whether they support me or not,” Harris said at Joint Base Andrews in Maryland. “And as president of the United States, I will be a president for all Americans, whether you vote for me or not.”
Shortly before Harris took the stage at the Ellipse in Washington – the same park Trump where had, on January 6, 2021, called on his supporters to “fight like hell” – Biden had lit the fuse in a conversation with pro-Harris Voto Latino advocates.
“And just the other day, a speaker at his rally called Puerto Rico ‘a floating island of garbage,’” Biden said. “Well, let me tell you something … I don’t know the Puerto Rican that I know … or Puerto Rico where I’m – in my home state of Delaware – they’re good, decent, honorable people.”
“The only garbage I see floating out there is his supporters,” Biden added, pausing for a moment before continuing: “His, his demonization of Latinos is unconscionable and it’s un-American.”
Harris told reporters that she had spoken with Biden following her speech at the Ellipse in Washington, DC, on Tuesday night but that the “garbage” gaffe did not come up.
The White House transcript of the call, shared with the press, shows Biden saying “supporter’s” – the singular – not “supporters.”
Star support
NFL Hall of Fame quarterback Brett Favre, who spent most of his career with the Green Bay Packers, spoke before Trump at the rally Wednesday. He too used the platform to criticize Biden.
“We’re not garbage,” Favre said to the crowd. “How dare (Biden) say that?”
Trump thanked Favre for his support, saying there was “nobody like him” and that he was a “special guy.”
The former president, later in his own remarks, came to the topic of women and his previously stated desire to “protect” them – a message he said his advisers warned him against using.
Kimmel suggested that Trump’s theatrics are an attempt to draw attention away from comedian Tony Hinchcliffe’s remarks at his Madison Square Garden rally.
At the rally, Hinchcliffe referred to the US territory of Puerto Rico as a “floating island of garbage” – comments that have prompted backlash from the Puerto Rican community, and raised questions as to whether this will alienate Hispanic voters.
“While he might try and play it off and distract us, this garbage thing is a serious problem for him. He’s facing a firestorm of anger from the Latino population,” the late night host said.
“But instead of apologizing – which is not something he does – he sat down to talk about it with noted racial tolerance advocate Sean Hannity.”
In an interview with the Fox News host on Tuesday, Trump claimed that Puerto Ricans flock to hug and kiss him when they see him on the street.
“Every time I go outside I see somebody from Puerto Rico. They give me a hug and a kiss,” he said.
“Yes, that definitely happens every time he goes outside…” Kimmel teased.
Trump has repeatedly tried to distance himself from Hinchcliffe’s comments, claiming he “doesn’t know” him while accusing Harris of “running a campaign of hate.”
Harris meanwhile has also attempted to distance herself from Biden’s remarks, telling reporters on Wednesday that she would “strongly disagree with any criticism of people based on who they vote for”.
