Wisconsin: Former President Donald Trump ascended into a campaign-themed trash truck in Wisconsin on Wednesday, capitalizing on President Joe Biden's remarks that seemed to cast Trump's supporters in a negative light, as reported by The Hill.
"How do you fancy my trash truck? This vehicle is dedicated to Kamala and Joe Biden," Trump stated from the driver's seat, adorned with a Trump campaign emblem and flag. His campaign team quickly shared photos of the event, with photographers capturing the moment, The Hill reported.
The Trump campaign is aiming to use the anger among his base over Biden's comments, with Vice President and Democratic nominee Kamala Harris trying to distance herself from the sentiment.
Biden faced criticism following his remarks, which appeared to equate Trump's supporters with 'garbage' while discussing a racially charged joke by comedian Tony Hinchcliffe at a Trump rally, which likened Puerto Rico to an "island of garbage," as reported by The Hill.
Following his statement, Biden inadvertently brought himself back into the political limelight just a week before the US presidential elections.
Biden criticized the comedian's characterization of Puerto Rico as a "floating island of garbage," asserting that the inhabitants of Puerto Rico are "good, decent, and honorable." However, his defense led to a political controversy, overshadowing Vice President Kamala Harris's main speech on Tuesday evening, CNN reported.
"And just the other day, a speaker at his rally referred to Puerto Rico as 'a floating island of garbage.' Well, let me tell you something... I don't know the Puerto Rican I know... or the one in my home state of Delaware... they're good, decent, honorable people," Biden said during his online address aimed at boosting Harris's campaign.
"The only garbage I see floating around is his supporters," Biden added, further stating, "His demonization of Latinos is unconscionable and un-American."
The White House later clarified that Biden's comments were misunderstood, emphasizing that he was commenting on the "garbage" rhetoric from the rally, not the supporters themselves. They provided a more detailed transcript, which included punctuation to clarify his reference to Hinchcliffe's remarks, as reported by The Hill.
Biden also took to social media to clarify that his use of "garbage" was in reference to the derogatory comments about Puerto Rico, not the supporters of Trump.
"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. His demonization of Latinos is unconscionable. That's all I meant to say. The comments at that rally don't reflect who we are as a nation," Biden wrote on X.
Biden's statements immediately drew comparisons to Hillary Clinton's notorious "basket of deplorables" remark from the 2016 election, which served as a rallying point for Trump and his followers. Following this, Harris felt the need to tackle the issue on Wednesday, highlighting her commitment to representing every voter, no matter their political leanings, as noted by CNN.
"First of all, I believe his comments were clarified, but let me make it clear: I am firmly against any judgment of individuals based on their voting choices," the Democratic candidate stated.
"You've heard my speech last night and throughout my career. My mission is to serve all Americans, whether they back me or not," Harris continued.
"I mean it sincerely: once I become president, I will stand for all Americans, including those who didn't vote for me, and work to fulfill their needs and wishes," she concluded.
