Donald Trump staged a publicity stunt with a garbage truck on Wednesday amid confusion caused by President Joe Biden’s remarks about Trump supporters. This unexpected situation created a challenge for Democratic candidate Kamala Harris, who had intended to focus on her campaign’s final week.

Biden’s Comments Spark Controversy

Harris aimed to build on her strong closing argument from a large rally in Washington the night before. However, she found herself distancing from Biden’s comment that seemed to label Trump supporters as “garbage.” In contrast, Trump has publicly called his opponents “garbage” and used the opportunity to his advantage. He climbed into a garbage truck at an airport in Wisconsin and answered questions from reporters, showcasing Biden’s blunder.

The Origin of the Dispute

The controversy began when a speaker at a Trump rally referred to Puerto Rico as “a floating island of garbage.” This comment initially put Trump’s campaign on the defensive. Yet, Biden’s gaffe allowed Trump to portray himself as a victim. From the cabin of the garbage truck, Trump quipped, “How do you like my garbage truck? This truck is in honor of Kamala and Joe Biden.” He further asserted, “You can’t be president if you hate the American people, which I believe they do.”

Reactions from the Political Arena

As Republicans expressed outrage over Biden’s remarks, The Lincoln Project, an anti-Trump political group, released a video from Trump’s September 7 rally. In this footage, Trump called the people surrounding Harris “garbage,” stating, “They’re scum. They want to take down our country. They are absolute garbage.”

Harris Stumps in Battleground States

Meanwhile, Harris continued her campaign in North Carolina, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin. She focused on three out of seven battleground states that could determine the election’s outcome. In Madison, Wisconsin, she told supporters, “Folks are exhausted and want it to stop, the pointing fingers. It is time that we start locking arms together as a people who rise and fall together.”

Early Voting Trends

Over 57 million Americans have already cast their ballots through early or mail-in voting, accounting for more than a third of the total votes in 2020.

Trump’s Voter Fraud Claims

Trump, who has 34 felony convictions related to the 2016 election, is likely to reject the election results if he loses. He is already amplifying claims of widespread “cheating” based on standard verification processes used by election officials.

Harris Responds to Biden’s Comments

Harris faced questions regarding Biden’s comments, made after a comedian at a Trump rally referred to Puerto Rico as “a floating island of garbage.” Biden said, “The only garbage I see floating out there is his supporters,” but the White House later clarified that he was referring to Trump’s rhetoric, not to his supporters. Harris emphasized, “Let me be clear, I strongly disagree with any criticism of people based on who they vote for.”

Harris Encourages Unity Against Trump

In North Carolina, Harris reiterated her campaign message to “turn the page” on Trump, leading the crowd in chants of “we are not going back!” She described Trump as “unstable, obsessed with revenge, consumed with grievance and out for unchecked power.”

Concerns About Election Integrity

In Washington, Harris spoke at the site where Trump incited a mob that attacked the U.S. Capitol on January 6, 2021, in an attempt to overturn his 2020 election loss to Biden. Trump has continued to assert claims of voter fraud, particularly targeting Pennsylvania. He criticized voting machines and called for a return to paper ballots.

Support for Harris from Notable Figures

Trump’s campaign sought donations by referencing Biden’s comments. However, notable figures like actor Arnold Schwarzenegger, a former Republican governor of California, endorsed Harris. He stated, “Rejecting the results of an election is as un-American as it gets.”