GREEN BAY, Wisconsin, USA (AP) — Donald Trump descended the stairs of the Boeing 757 bearing his name, crossed a rain-soaked runway, and, after failing twice to grasp the handle, climbed into the passenger seat of a white garbage truck also bearing his name.
The former president wanted to draw attention to the comment made by President Joe Biden two days ago, in which he insinuated that Trump supporters were trash. The Republican magnate has used that statement to criticize his Democratic opponent, Vice President Kamala Harris.
"“Do you like my garbage truck?” asked Trump, who put on a bright orange and yellow safety vest over his white shirt and red tie. “This is in honor of Kamala and Joe Biden.”
Why did Joe Biden use the term "trash" to refer to Trump supporters?
Trump and other Republicans faced their own criticisms after comedian Tony Hinchcliffe, who performed at a Republican campaign event over the weekend, declared that Puerto Rico was a "floating island of garbage." But Trump later seized on statements made by Biden on Tuesday night, when he said, "the only garbage I see floating out there are your followers."
The president tried to clarify his comment later, ensuring that he meant that "trash" referred to the comedian and the way Trump demonized Latinos. But it was already too late.
On Thursday, after arriving in Green Bay, Wisconsin, for a rally, Trump got on the garbage truck, had a brief conversation with reporters as he looked out the window, similar to what he did a few weeks ago during an event at a McDonald's in Pennsylvania.
He tried to distance himself from comedian Tony Hinchcliffe again, whose joke sparked the storm, but Trump did not condemn the comment. He also said he didn't need to apologize to Puerto Ricans.
"I don't know anything about the comedian," said Trump. "I don't know who he is. I've never seen him. I heard he made a statement, but it was a statement he made. He's a comedian, what can I tell you? I don't know anything about him."
A spokesperson for Trump said that the joke does not reflect his views, but the former president has not personally addressed the issue. "I love Puerto Rico and Puerto Rico loves me," Trump emphasized from the garbage truck.
The former president ended his brief appearance by telling the reporters: "I hope you have enjoyed this garbage truck. Thank you very much."
When he went up on stage shortly after, he was still wearing the orange vest.
Wisconsin is one of the seven swing states that will determine the winner of the tight race between Kamala Harris and Donald Trump.