Former President Donald Trump arrived at his Wisconsin rally on Wednesday wearing a hi-viz vest after riding in a garbage truck to a press conference, an apparent reference to President Joe Bidenâs previous controversial comments that appeared to refer to the Republican presidential candidateâs supporters.
The truck was emblazoned with Trump campaign messaging and American flags.
âHow do you like my garbage truck? This truck is in honor of Kamala and Joe Biden,â Trump said to reporters from the passenger seat.
He then took to the stage wearing a hi-viz vest.
âI have to begin by saying 250 million Americans are not garbage,â Trump said, opening his speech.
Republican presidential nominee, former President Donald Trump holds a press conference from inside trash hauler at Green Bay Austin Straubel International Airport in Green Bay, Wis., on Oct. 30, 2024. Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images
Trump appears to be capitalizing on comments made by Biden during a campaign call in which he responded to a joke about Puerto Rico made by roast comedian Tony Hinchcliffe earlier in the week. Hinchcliffe was speaking at a campaign rally at New York Cityâs Madison Square Garden.
âJust the other day, a speaker at his rally called Puerto Rico a âfloating island of garbage,ââ Biden said, according to video footage of his remarks. âThe only garbage I see floating out there is his supporters.â
The president later retracted his comments, saying he was referring to the comedianâs supporters and not Trumpâs supporters.
The Trump campaign highlighted Bidenâs remarks on social media and called on the Harris campaign to denounce the remarks.
Vice President Kamala Harris sought to distance herself from Bidenâs remarks on Oct. 30.
âListen, I think, first of all, he clarified his comments, but let me be clear: I strongly disagree with any criticism of people based on who they vote for,â Harris told reporters on the tarmac at Joint Base Andrews. âYou heard my speech last night and continuously throughout my career. I believe that the work that I do is about representing all the people whether they support me or not.â
She said that as president, she would represent all Americans, including those who didnât vote for her.
At a rally on Oct. 30 in Rocky Mount, North Carolina, Trump linked Bidenâs comments to Harris.
âAnd now, speaking on a call for her campaign last night, Joe Biden finally said what he and Kamala really think of our supporters. He called them garbage,â Trump said. âAnd they mean it. … My response to Joe and Kamala is very simple: You canât lead America if you donât love Americans. … And you canât be president if you hate the American people.â
Biden wrote later that evening, âEarlier today I referred to the hateful rhetoric about Puerto Rico spewed by Trumpâs supporter at his Madison Square Garden rally as garbageâwhich is the only word I can think of to describe it.
