Donald Trump strolled down the steps of his Boeing 757, across a rain-soaked tarmac, and, after twice missing the handle, stepped into the passenger seat of a white garbage truck bearing his name.
The former president, a reality TV star famed for his flair, sought to bring attention to a remark made a day earlier by his successor, Democratic President Joe Biden, in which he claimed Trump’s fans were garbage. Trump has used the statement to attack his Democratic competitor, Vice President Kamala Harris.
“How do you like my garbage truck?” Trump spoke while wearing an orange and yellow safety vest over his white dress shirt and red tie. “This is in honor of Kamala and Joe Biden.”
Trump and other Republicans were receiving criticism over remarks made by a comic at a weekend Trump rally who referred to Puerto Rico as a “floating island of garbage.” Trump then seized on Biden’s statement in a late Wednesday call that “the only garbage I see floating out there are his supporters.”
The president later attempted to clarify his statement, claiming that he meant to indicate that Trump’s demonization of Latinos was unacceptable. Unfortunately, it was too late.
On Thursday, after arriving in Green Bay, Wisconsin, for an evening rally, Trump stepped inside a garbage truck and spoke briefly with reporters while peering out the window, as he did earlier this month at a photo opportunity he staged at a Pennsylvania McDonalds.
He tried again to distance himself from comedian Tony Hinchcliffe, whose joke sparked the outrage, but Trump did not condemn it. He also stated that he did not need to apologize to Puerto Ricans.
“I don’t know anything about the comedian,” Trump admitted. “I’m not sure who he is.” I have never seen him. I heard he made a statement, but it was his own. What can I say? He is a comedian. “I know nothing about him.”
Trump’s spokesperson stated that the joke does not reflect his views, but the former president has not responded directly.
“I love Puerto Rico, and Puerto Rico loves me,” Trump declared from the garbage truck.
He concluded his brief appearance by telling reporters, “I hope you enjoyed this garbage truck.” “Thank you so much.”
When he took the stage a few minutes later, he was still wearing the orange vest.