Trump took advantage of the situation for what it was worth on Wednesday when he stepped off his plane, wearing a reflective vest, at an airport in Green Bay, Wisconsin. There he climbed into the cab of a garbage truck with a MAGA logo, and answered questions from journalists.
– What do you think of my garbage truck? This garbage truck is in honor of Kamala and Joe Biden, Trump said.
Trump wore the same reflective vest at a campaign event in Green Bay on Wednesday.
The stunt was a response to Biden’s statement from the day before, which in turn was a reaction to comedian Tony Hinchcliffe’s guest speech at Trump’s rally in Madison Square Garden in New York City on Sunday. There, Hinchcliffe joked about “a floating garbage island”, referring to Puerto Rico. The statement sparked criticism from Democrats, but also Republicans, and Trump has since distanced himself from it.
On Tuesday, President Joe Biden addressed Hinchcliffe’s comment during a video conference with the grassroots organization Voto Latino.
Biden’s garbage statement
“And the other day a speaker at his campaign rally called Puerto Rico a ‘floating garbage island.’ Well, let me tell you something. I don’t know—I—I don’t know the Puerto Ricans who, as I know, or Puerto Rico, where I come from…in my home state of Delaware, they are good, decent, decent people. The only trash I see floating around out there is that of his followers—his—his black-painting of Latinos is unconscionable, and it’s un-American. It’s the complete opposite of everything we’ve done, everything we’ve been,” Biden said, according to a White House transcript.
The White House stated that what Biden was really referring to was the rhetoric, and not the supporters.
Biden’s statement did not go down well with his vice president, Democratic presidential candidate Kamala Harris.
– Let me be clear: I completely disagree with any criticism of people based on who they vote for, Harris said on Wednesday.
Important constituency
In Biden’s video meeting with Voto Latino on Tuesday, the president said that Trump does not care about the Latino community in the United States, and he urged people not to vote for Trump.
Trump’s campaign team, for its part, has said that support from Latinos, especially men, is growing.
Latino votes could gain significant influence in, among other things, the important swing state of Pennsylvania, where the race is even between Harris and Trump. This state has the fourth largest percentage of Puerto Ricans in the United States after Florida, New York and New Jersey.
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**Interview with Political Analyst Dr. Sarah Milton on Trump’s Garbage Truck Stunt in Wisconsin**
*Host: Welcome to our special segment, where we delve into the latest news in politics. Today, we’re talking about former President Donald Trump’s recent campaign stunt involving a garbage truck in Wisconsin. Joining us is political analyst Dr. Sarah Milton. Sarah, thank you for being here!*
**Dr. Milton:** Thank you for having me!
*Host: Let’s start with the basics. What was Trump’s attempt in Wisconsin all about?*
**Dr. Milton:** Well, it was a theatrical moment meant to draw attention to President Biden’s recent comments sparked by the controversy surrounding a joke made by comedian Tony Hinchcliffe at a Trump rally. Trump, wearing a MAGA-branded reflective vest, climbed into a garbage truck and referred to it as an homage to Kamala Harris and Joe Biden. It’s a classic move for Trump — using humor and shock value to connect with his base while criticizing his opponents.
*Host: Do you think this kind of stunt is effective for his campaign?*
**Dr. Milton:** Stunts like this can generate a lot of media coverage, which is crucial for maintaining visibility in today’s fast-paced news environment. For Trump’s dedicated supporters, it reinforces their loyalty and gives them talking points against Biden. However, it risks alienating moderate voters who may view such antics as unserious, especially in the context of significant political issues.
*Host: What do you make of the timing and context of the stunt?*
**Dr. Milton:** Timing is everything in politics, and this stunt cleverly plays off Biden’s remarks that were a response to Hinchcliffe’s joke—a situation that was already generating discussion and controversy. By jumping into the fray, Trump capitalizes on discontent and attempts to take control of the narrative, framing it in his style to deflect criticism. But we have to be cautious about over-exaggerating the long-term impacts of such moments; they often matter less in the long run than substantive policy discussions.
*Host: So, in your opinion, how should the Democrats respond to this?*
**Dr. Milton:** They should focus on countering the narrative while emphasizing substantive policy outcomes. A strong, clear message about their achievements can counteract these distractions. However, engaging directly with Trump’s antics might give them more visibility than they deserve. Instead, they can redirect the conversation towards the issues that matter to voters, such as healthcare and economic recovery.
*Host: Great insights, Sarah. One final question: how do you see this playing out as we move closer to the elections?*
**Dr. Milton:** As we approach the elections, we can expect more of these theatrical moments from both sides. It’s a reminder of how performance and media engagement can influence public perception. How each party responds will be crucial—navigating the line between addressing the spectacle and maintaining a focus on policy will be key for both Trump and Biden to capture voters’ attention.
*Host: Thank you, Dr. Milton, for your thoughts on this intriguing political moment. We appreciate your expertise!*
**Dr. Milton:** Thank you for having me!
