On Wednesday, Donald Trump held a press conference from the passenger seat of a garbage truck. He wore an orange safety vest. This unusual event responded to comments made by Joe Biden. Biden criticized Trump’s supporters just one week before the presidential election.
Trump’s Rally Remarks
At a rally in Green Bay, Wisconsin, Trump declared, “Kamala and Joe call us all garbage. I call you the heart and soul of America.” He insisted that his supporters are “of higher quality than crooked Joe and lying Kamala.”
Kamala and Joe call us all garbage.
I call you the heart and soul of America.
— President Donald J. Trump
From Trump War Room @TrumpWarRoom:
— Donald J. Trump Posts From His Truth Social (@TrumpDailyPosts) October 31, 2024
Additionally, prominent Republican and Indian-American entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy arrived at the rally in a garbage truck. He posted on X, stating, “We’re not the garbage, we’re taking out the garbage.”
🚨🚨 INCREDIBLE:@VivekGRamaswamy and @bennyjohnson just rolled up to a Donald Trump event in a garbage truck.
This is EPIC. 🔥🔥 pic.twitter.com/s6X2AHdkjY
— Evan Kilgore 🇺🇸 (@EvanAKilgore) October 30, 2024
The stunt quickly went viral on social media. Elon Musk even shared an image of Trump in the truck, calling it “Genius-level trolling.”
This is so awesome 😎 https://t.co/yxKHZQdPYv
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) October 30, 2024
How the ‘Garbage’ Controversy Started
This political spectacle followed Biden’s comments at a fundraising event. He aimed to address racist remarks made by a speaker at a Trump rally but faced significant backlash instead.
Hinchcliffe’s Disparaging Comments
The controversy began when comedian Tony Hinchcliffe, speaking at a Trump rally, referred to Puerto Rico as a “floating island of garbage.” He also made derogatory comments about various groups, including Black Americans and Latinos. In response, Biden addressed these remarks during a Zoom call with Voto Latino. He stated, “The only garbage I see floating out there is his supporters’ — his demonization of Latinos is unconscionable and it’s un-American.”
Trump’s Response
Biden’s choice of words angered Trump and other Republicans. They interpreted it as an attack on all Trump supporters. Trump’s campaign quickly distanced itself from Hinchcliffe’s comments but used the situation to criticize Biden. At a later rally, Trump claimed Biden’s remarks revealed a true disdain for his supporters. He said, “Joe Biden finally said what he and Kamala really think of our supporters. He called them ‘garbage.’”
In response, one of the supporter of Trump tweeted, “Donald Trump just WON the Election (in a Garbage Vest) when he said: “Kamala and Joe call you garbage. I call you the HEART and SOUL of America”. I love Trump.”
BREAKING NOW 🚨 Donald Trump just WON the Election (in a Garbage Vest) when he said:
“Kamala and Joe call you garbage. I call you the HEART and SOUL of America”. I love Trump 🇺🇸
LET’S FREAKING GO 👏 pic.twitter.com/g8jkIgOsjy
— MAGA Voice (@MAGAVoice) October 30, 2024
Biden’s Attempt to Clarify
As the narrative grew, Biden tried to clarify his comments. He insisted he was only referring to Hinchcliffe’s remarks. He posted on X, saying, “Earlier today I referred to the hateful rhetoric about Puerto Rico spewed by Trump’s supporters at his Madison Square Garden rally as garbage — which is the only word I can think of to describe it.”
Earlier today I referred to the hateful rhetoric about Puerto Rico spewed by Trump's supporter at his Madison Square Garden rally as garbage—which is the only word I can think of to describe it. His demonization of Latinos is unconscionable. That's all I meant to say. The…
— Joe Biden (@JoeBiden) October 30, 2024
The Damage Done
Despite Biden’s attempts at clarification, the damage was done. His comments overshadowed other campaign messages. They distracted from Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris’s push for unity just days before the November 5 election. Harris reiterated her commitment to serving “all Americans.” As media coverage intensified, Trump’s press conference from the garbage truck served as a counter to Biden’s remarks.
Growing Election Pressures
With the election approaching, both parties face pressure to manage the fallout from this “garbage” controversy. Polls indicate a very close race between Biden and Trump. This underscores the critical need for both campaigns to handle their messaging effectively in the final days leading up to the election.
