In a rather amusing political maneuver more fitting of WWE theatrics than traditional campaign decorum, Donald Trump pulled up to his latest rally riding shotgun in a garbage truck, dressed in a fluorescent vest and all, to hammer home his message that “they think we’re trash.” This spectacle came days after President Joe Biden made an ill-received comment branding Trump supporters “garbage,” a gag which Trump was quick to amplify.
Biden’s words, delivered during a virtual roundtable with Latino voters, were later clarified as a critique of inflammatory rhetoric, but the phrase left a lasting mark. Trump, seizing on the misstep, turned it into a campaign narrative; one complete with props and the full pageantry his rallies have become known for. And so, with the flash of an orange vest and the unmistakable blue script of “TRUMP” slapped on the side of the garbage truck, Trump’s entrance in Green Bay sent a message as loud as the cheers from his fans.
Ditching his typical suit for sanitation worker gear, Trump walked up to the podium and declared, “I have to start by saying: 250 million Americans are not garbage.” The figure is vague, but the message was clear. From the first word, he tapped into a rhetoric that resonates with his base, painting himself as the voice of the everyday American, unjustly criticized by an elite establishment.
During the speech, supporters held up signs declaring “We’re not garbage!” while Trump lambasted Biden’s words with verve, framing them as evidence that the establishment views his supporters as expendable.
The garbage truck stunt undoubtedly left a lasting visual. Trump detailed to his crowd the challenging climb into the truck’s cab, warning his audience that any slip-up would have made “fake news” headlines. He shared the story with the same bravado he’s displayed in moments throughout his campaign, leaning on humor as he often does.
For Biden, the aftermath of his “garbage” comment could prove more than a one-time slip. Biden’s team is trying to contain the fallout, clarifying his comments while redirecting the discourse toward inclusive rhetoric. But the contrast was sharp at Trump’s rally, where the image of a garbage truck barreling into Green Bay seemed to galvanize his supporters, drawing a hard line between those who feel overlooked by the establishment and the candidate who, they believe, refuses to ignore them.
It remains to be seen how long the memory of Biden’s slip will linger, or how it will play into the larger battle for middle America.
