Mr. Trump plays the role of a janitor

(CLO) On Wednesday, Mr. Donald Trump stepped off his Boeing 757 and then unexpectedly climbed into the passenger seat of a white garbage truck that also bore his name. The controversy related to his statements about "garbage" is very "hot" in the US election.

The former US president, a former reality TV star known for his acting skills, wanted to draw attention to a comment by Democratic President Joe Biden referring to Trump supporters as “trash”. Mr Trump used the comment as a tool against his Democratic opponent, Vice President Kamala Harris.

“How do you like my garbage truck?” Trump said, wearing an orange and yellow janitor vest over a white shirt and red tie. “This is in honor of Kamala and Joe Biden,” he told reporters as he touched down in Wisconsin for a campaign stop.

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Video of Mr. Trump getting off the airport and into a garbage truck (source: AP)

Related to this “waste” issue, Mr. Trump and the Republican campaign previously faced backlash over comments from comedian Tony Hinchcliffe at a Trump rally over the weekend, who dismissed Puerto Rico (a U.S. territory) as a “floating trash island.”

Trump has tried to distance himself from the comedian, whose joke sparked a social media firestorm, but he has also said he does not need to apologize to Puerto Ricans because he had nothing to do with the remark, as he does not know Hinchcliffe.

Mr. Trump sits on a garbage truck bearing his name as he lands at the airport in Green Bay, Wisconsin, USA on October 30, 2024. Photo: AP

Mr Trump then turned the situation into an opportunity, seizing on a comment Mr Biden made late Wednesday in response to comedian Hinchcliffe's comment that "the only garbage I see floating around is his supporters".

The US president attempted to clarify the comment, saying he intended to criticize comedian Hinchcliffe's support for Trump's denigration of Latinos and his comments about Puerto Rico being "floating trash", but it appeared to be too late.

On Thursday, after arriving in Wisconsin for an evening rally, Mr. Trump also climbed aboard a garbage truck and chatted briefly with reporters. He ended the brief appearance by telling reporters, “I hope you like the garbage truck. Thank you very much.” He then continued wearing his janitor’s uniform to attend a campaign rally in the battleground state.

Mr. Trump wears a janitor's uniform to a campaign rally in Green Bay, Wisconsin, USA on October 30, 2024. Photo: AP

In the wake of the controversy, Vice President Kamala Harris has tried to distance herself from her comments about “trash,” telling reporters that she “absolutely” disagrees with criticizing people based on who they voted for.

Asked if she had spoken to the US President about his comments, Ms Harris said Mr Biden had called her on Tuesday evening but the US President's "garbage" comments "were not mentioned".

Kamala Harris speaks out about President Joe Biden's 'trash' remarks. Photo: AFP

“Look, I think, first of all, he clarified his comments, but let me be clear: I absolutely disagree with any criticism of people based on who they voted for,” Harris said on the tarmac at Joint Base Andrews.

The US Vice President also reiterated what she said during the election campaign, including that she would "represent all Americans" if elected.

Hoang Anh (according to CNN, Fox News, AP)

Source: https://www.congluan.vn/lum-xum-vu-rac-thai-trong-bau-cu-my-ong-trump-vao-vai-lao-cong-ba-harris-co-tranh-xa-post319267.html