Al Mayadeen English

  • Ar
  • Es
  • x
Al Mayadeen English

Slogan

  • News
    • Politics
    • Economy
    • Sports
    • Arts&Culture
    • Health
    • Miscellaneous
    • Technology
    • Environment
  • Articles
    • Opinion
    • Analysis
    • Blog
    • Features
  • Videos
    • NewsFeed
    • Video Features
    • Explainers
    • TV
    • Digital Series
  • Infographs
  • In Pictures
  • • LIVE
News
  • Politics
  • Economy
  • Sports
  • Arts&Culture
  • Health
  • Miscellaneous
  • Technology
  • Environment
Articles
  • Opinion
  • Analysis
  • Blog
  • Features
Videos
  • NewsFeed
  • Video Features
  • Explainers
  • TV
  • Digital Series
Infographs
In Pictures
  • Africa
  • Asia
  • Asia-Pacific
  • Europe
  • Latin America
  • MENA
  • Palestine
  • US & Canada
BREAKING
Israeli media: Ben Gurion Airport airspace sut down following missile launch from Yemen
Israeli media: Air raid sirens sound in the central region and Hashfala following the detection of a missile launch from Yemen
SDF announces the killing of three of its members as a result of ISIS cells detonating a landmine targeting a vehicle of a security patrol on the Hasaka-Raqqa road
The Popular Resistance Committees: We call on all international institutions to take urgent action and uphold their responsibilities by restoring and immediately enforcing effective mechanisms for the distribution of humanitarian aid.
The Popular Resistance Committees: The latest Zio-American crime against Gaza’s starving civilians constitutes a war crime, for which the US administration bears full and direct responsibility.
Gaza Media Office: Bloody spectacle shows that these zones have become collective death traps rather than aid distribution zones.
Gaza Media Office: Dozens of citizens are still surrounded under constant fire in the vicinity of the "aid station."
Gaza Media Office: As soon as citizens arrived, occupation and Americans opened direct fire on them.
Gaza Media Office: Occupation, in complicity with the US company, called on citizens to move toward Wadi Gaza Bridge, claiming that aid would be distributed.
Gaza Government Media Office: Occupation set a bloody trap at bridge of Wadi Gaza, luring thousands of starved civilians, and opened fire on them.

Trump rolls out garbage truck to troll Biden gaffe at rally

  • By Al Mayadeen English
  • Source: News websites
  • 31 Oct 2024 08:43
6 Min Read

In a dramatic display aimed at Wisconsin voters, US presidential nominee Donald Trump donned the attire of a sanitation worker, even climbing into the cab of a garbage truck.

Listen
  • x
  •  The Republican kept his bright orange safety vest on for his rally in Green Bay, Wisconsin (AP)
    Donald Trump kept his bright orange safety vest on for his rally in Green Bay, Wisconsin. (AP)

Dressing like a sanitation worker and even climbing into the cab of a garbage truck, US presidential nominee Donald Trump aimed to convince voters in battleground state Wisconsin on Wednesday that Democrats consider those who support him to be “garbage.”

This spectacle followed a verbal gaffe by Joe Biden the night before, which the president claimed was meant to criticize a comedian for his racist comments during a large rally Trump held at Madison Square Garden over the weekend.

Trump and his allies have taken Biden’s words to argue that Democratic nominee Kamala Harris is not sincere in her promise to be a president for all Americans, including those who do not support her. Speaking in Green Bay, a Republican-leaning area in a closely contested state, Trump opted for a reflective orange vest instead of his usual suit jacket as he addressed a packed arena of red-hatted supporters.

“I have to begin by saying 250 million Americans are not garbage,” Trump declared at the start of his nearly 90-minute speech. He did not clarify how he calculated the 250 million figure, which seems to approximate the US population minus those who voted for Biden in 2020.

“This week, Kamala has been comparing her political opponents to the most evil mass murderers in history, and now, speaking on a call for her campaign last night, crooked Joe Biden finally said what he and Kamala really think of our supporters. He called them garbage. No way!”

The big picture

Biden’s gaffe, one of many during his nearly four years in office, complicates Harris’ campaign, especially after she sought to win over Latino voters following comedian Tony Hinchcliffe’s comment at the Madison Square Garden rally, describing Puerto Rico as “a floating island of garbage in the middle of the ocean.”

Puerto Rican stars Bad Bunny and Ricky Martin have since voiced their support for Harris, while reggaeton singer Nicky Jam, who has ties to the island, withdrew his endorsement of Trump in response to the remarks.

Biden inadvertently provided the GOP with a new line of attack when he said during a Tuesday evening Zoom call with a Latino voter organization: “The only garbage I see floating out there is his supporter’s – his – his – his demonization of Latinos is unconscionable, and it’s un-American.” The President later clarified that he intended to criticize “the hateful rhetoric” against Latinos at the Madison Square Garden event, but the Trump campaign insisted he was insulting those who voted for the former president.

Earlier on Wednesday, Harris defended her position, stating, “I strongly disagree with any criticism of people based on who they voted for.” The vice president has been focusing on outreach to moderate Republicans and independents and has campaigned alongside Republicans who have distanced themselves from Trump.

However, at the Green Bay rally, Biden’s comments dominated the conversation.

“I can assure you, we’re not garbage. How dare you say that?” stated Brett Favre, the former quarterback for the Green Bay Packers, who received a warm reception from the crowd.

“Looking out, I see police officers, teachers, nurses, grandparents, students. I see everyday Americans that make this country great.”

Related News

‘Israel’ lost 'international legitimacy' for Gaza war: Israeli media

Challenges undermine Gulf States’ ambitions in AI development: FT

Wisconsin Republican Senator Ron Johnson, who has withstood numerous attempts by Democrats to unseat him, remarked, “He called you garbage, but, let’s face it, that’s not the first time the Democratic leaders have told half of Americans what they thought about them.” He referenced Hillary Clinton’s infamous “basket of deplorables” comment shortly before her loss in the 2016 election.

While he had condemned Biden over the "garbage" comment at a rally in North Carolina earlier that day, Trump turned to political theatrics in Green Bay, stepping off his private plane wearing the orange vest and hopping into a garbage truck with “Trump” written in blue letters on the side.

Later in the arena, the 78-year-old expressed his concern about climbing the steep steps into the truck, noting that if he fell, it would be caught by “all the fake news” waiting on the tarmac. “The first stair’s like, up here, and I’m saying, shit,” he told the crowd. “So I had the adrenaline going, and I made it.”

When questioned while sitting in the truck’s cab, he declined to apologize for Hinchcliffe’s comments about Puerto Rico, insisting, “I don’t know anything about the comedian. I don’t know who he is. I’ve never seen him. He’s a comedian, what can I tell you? I know nothing about him. I don’t know why he’s there.”

Harris distances herself from Biden following 'garbage' comment

US reports published on Wednesday suggest that Vice President Kamala Harris has minimized joint campaign appearances with President Joe Biden in the final days of her election push, especially following his controversial comment that seemed to describe Trump supporters as "garbage."

The remarks, which Biden later tried to clarify, have reignited concerns that the outgoing President's public missteps may undermine Harris' election chances, especially as she seeks to project a unifying message.

Since bowing out of the White House race in July, 81-year-old Biden has supported Harris on the campaign trail, promoting his administration's achievements.

However, US media reports indicate that Harris's campaign has opted to keep Biden at a distance, even politely declining his offers for additional joint appearances.

The 'garbage' controversy

Biden's "garbage" comment came after a Trump rally speaker referred to Puerto Rico as a "floating island of garbage."

"The only garbage I see floating out there is his supporters," Biden said Tuesday in reference to Trump supporters.

Biden's team later claimed he intended to reference "supporters", pointing to comedian Tony Hinchcliffe, rather than broad Trump support.

Still, Republicans seized on the comment, likening it to Hillary Clinton's infamous "deplorables" remark in 2016, which some believe hurt her with Trump-leaning voters.

Prominent political analyst Larry Sabato weighed in, advising that Harris limit her appearances with Biden, citing his unpopularity and recent perceived missteps.

"Harris should obviously avoid many joint appearances with Biden until after the election is over," Larry said. "Biden is quite unpopular and he's also rusty and off his game." 

The fallout from Biden's remarks overshadowed Harris's recent address at the White House, where she called for unity and a fresh start, drawing a stark contrast with Biden's tone.

Read more: Biden ‘a political liability’ for Harris: Axios

  • United States
  • Wisconsin
  • Kamala Harris
  • US President Joe Biden
  • US elections 2024
  • Joe Biden
  • Donald Trump

Most Read

President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu arrive to a news conference in the East Room of the White House, Tuesday, Feb. 4, 2025, in Washington (AP)

Rift widens: Trump, Netanyahu clash in heated phone call over Iran

  • Politics
  • 26 May 2025
US judges quietly consider private security amid Trump tensions

US judges quietly consider private security amid Trump pressures

  • US & Canada
  • 25 May 2025
An Israeli army vehicle moves in the Gaza Strip as seen from southern occupied Palestine, Thursday, May 29, 2025 (AP)

Hamas rejects Witkoff ceasefire plan, says alters terms

  • Politics
  • 29 May 2025
Spokesperson for the Yemeni Armed Forces, Brigadier General Yahya Saree, announces a new operation against Ben Gurion Airport on May 29, 2025 (Yemeni Military Media)

Yemen announces successful hypersonic missile strike on Ben Gurion

  • Politics
  • 30 May 2025

Coverage

All
War on Gaza

Read Next

All
MIT bans class president who gave pro-Palestine speech
US & Canada

MIT bans class president over pro-Palestine speech

Arab ministers condemn Israel 'ban' on planned West Bank visit
Politics

Arab ministers condemn Israeli ban on planned West Bank visit

Major General Hu Gangfeng, Vice President, National Defense University, People's Liberation Army, China, leaves after a panel discussion during the 22nd Shangri-La Dialogue summit in Singapore, Saturday, May 31, 2025. (AP Photo/Anupam Nath)
Politics

China blasts Hegseth, calls US top 'troublemaker' in Asia-Pacific

US activists demand shutdown of Musk's 'dirty' supercomputer: Reports
Technology

US activists demand shutdown of Musk's 'dirty' supercomputer: NBC News

Al Mayadeen English

Al Mayadeen is an Arab Independent Media Satellite Channel.

All Rights Reserved

  • x
  • Privacy Policy
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Authors
Android
iOS