Donald Trump Wears Sanitation Vest After Biden’s “Garbage” Remark Sparks Backlash at Wisconsin Rally
4 min read
On October 30, 2024, Republican candidate Donald Trump sparked widespread reactions by arriving at a Wisconsin rally dressed as a sanitation worker. This unusual attire—an orange reflective safety vest—was Trump’s response to recent remarks by President Joe Biden, whom Trump claims referred to his supporters as “garbage.” Trump even answered questions from a garbage truck emblazoned with his name, which quickly became a hot topic across social media, where supporters and critics alike shared their reactions.
The controversy began following a racially charged comment by comedian Tony Hinchcliffe at Trump’s Madison Square Garden rally on October 27. Hinchcliffe had referred to Puerto Rico as “a floating island of garbage,” a remark that prompted backlash and responses from several Latino community figures, including celebrities like Bad Bunny and Ricky Martin, who criticized the rhetoric as harmful and un-American. Biden responded during a Zoom call with a Latino voters organization, describing Hinchcliffe’s words as “garbage,” which Trump’s followers took as a broader insult.
250 MILLION AMERICANS ARE NOT GARBAGE—I CALL YOU THE HEART AND SOUL OF AMERICA!!! #MAGA2024 pic.twitter.com/OUR8urg2bT
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) October 31, 2024
During his speech, Donald Trump aimed to clarify his stance. “I have to begin by saying 250 million Americans are not garbage,” he told the Wisconsin crowd, adding that Biden’s comment about “garbage” reflected what he believed Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris truly think of his supporters. Trump also highlighted Harris’s recent comparison of her political opponents to historical mass murderers, reinforcing his criticism that Biden’s administration looks down on him and his followers.
Earlier today I referred to the hateful rhetoric about Puerto Rico spewed by Trump's supporter at his Madison Square Garden rally as garbage—which is the only word I can think of to describe it. His demonization of Latinos is unconscionable. That's all I meant to say. The…
— Joe Biden (@JoeBiden) October 30, 2024
Trump’s sanitation worker stunt quickly spread across X (formerly Twitter), where supporters praised his humorous approach, viewing it as “epic trolling” of Biden. “Trump is teaching a Master Class in trolling… Epic… The man is a legend!” one user posted. Others playfully modified his campaign slogan to “Make Garbage Great Again,” celebrating his willingness to embrace the characterization in a satirical way. Fans hailed him as “the greatest” and commended his ability to turn an insult into a rallying cry, calling him “the ULTIMATE troll.”
BREAKING: Donald Trump is riding in a garbage truck less than 24 hours after Joe Biden called his supporters “garbage” pic.twitter.com/KCfW2WsIe0
— America (@america) October 30, 2024
However, critics were quick to counter, noting what they saw as double standards in the outrage over Biden’s remarks. One user pointed out, “MAGA didn’t react when Trump called America a garbage can, but suddenly Biden is the enemy?” Others shared lists of harsh labels Trump had used for his political opponents, arguing that his supporters’ outrage over Biden’s “garbage” comment was ironic. Some users emphasized that Biden’s remarks were specifically about Hinchcliffe’s racially offensive rhetoric and not Trump’s supporters. As one person explained, “The only garbage Biden referred to was the demonization of Latinos, which is un-American.”
I am voting for the Garbageman that worked at McDonalds, You ?
— Marjorie Taylor Greene Press Release (Parody) (@MTGrepp) October 31, 2024
As public figures weighed in, Vice President Kamala Harris spoke up, asserting her stance against attacking Americans based on their political affiliations. “I’ve been very clear with the American public – I respect the challenges that people face, I respect the fact that we all have so much more in common than what separates us,” Harris stated, further distancing the Biden campaign from disparaging voters.
The real garbage is the deep state, which will receive a mass firing from us next Tuesday. VOTE TRUMP!
— George (@BehizyTweets) October 31, 2024
In response to the controversy surrounding the rally and Hinchcliffe’s comments, Trump’s campaign team issued a statement disassociating itself from the comedian, emphasizing that his views did not reflect those of the former president or the campaign. When asked directly about Hinchcliffe’s remarks, Trump claimed he was unaware of the comedian’s identity or his place on the rally’s lineup.
With the 2024 presidential election just days away, Trump’s “sanitation worker” appearance at the rally has added yet another layer to the already heated campaign. Both Donald Trump and Harris are set to campaign in Nevada on Halloween, where it remains to be seen how these recent controversies might impact undecided voters.
There will never be another Trump.
— Juanita Broaddrick (@atensnut) October 31, 2024
Shivam Kumar
Hi, I'm Shivam Kumar. I'm pursuing Journalism honors from the IP University. I love the skill of writing and looking forward to learn more of it. Also I love traveling and experiencing new things every day....
