Donald Trump boards a garbage truck to draw attention to Biden remark

GREEN BAY, Wis. (AP) — Donald Trump walked down nan steps of nan Boeing 757 that bears his name, walked crossed a rain-soaked tarmac and, aft doubly missing nan handle, climbed into nan rider spot of a achromatic garbage motortruck that besides carried his name.

The erstwhile president, erstwhile a reality TV prima known for his showmanship, wanted to tie attraction to a remark made a time earlier by his successor, Democratic President Joe Biden, that suggested Trump’s supporters were garbage. Trump has utilized nan remark arsenic a cudgel against his Democratic rival, Vice President Kamala Harris.

“How do you for illustration my garbage truck?” Trump said, wearing an orangish and yellowish information vest complete his achromatic dress garment and reddish tie. “This is successful grant of Kamala and Joe Biden.”

Trump and different Republicans were facing pushback of their ain for comments by a comedian astatine a play Trump rally who disparaged Puerto Rico arsenic a “floating land of garbage.” Trump past seized connected a remark Biden made connected a precocious Wednesday telephone that “The only garbage I spot floating retired location is his supporters.”

The president tried to explain nan remark afterward, saying he had intended to opportunity Trump’s demonization of Latinos was unconscionable. But it was excessively late.

On Thursday, aft arriving successful Green Bay, Wisconsin, for an evening rally, Trump climbed into nan garbage truck, carrying connected a little chat pinch reporters while looking retired nan model — akin to what he did earlier this period during a photo opportunity he staged astatine a Pennsylvania McDonalds.

He again tried to region himself from comedian Tony Hinchcliffe, whose joke had group disconnected nan firestorm, but Trump did not denounce it. He besides said he did not request to apologize to Puerto Ricans.

“I don’t cognize thing astir nan comedian,” Trump said. “I don’t cognize who he is. I’ve ne'er seen him. I heard he made a statement, but it was a connection that he made. He’s a comedian, what tin I show you. I cognize thing astir him.”

A spokesperson for Trump said nan joke doesn’t bespeak his views, but nan erstwhile president has not addressed it himself.

“I emotion Puerto Rico and Puerto Rico loves me,” Trump said from nan garbage truck.

He ended nan little quality by telling reporters: “I dream you enjoyed this garbage truck. Thank you very much.”

When he took nan shape a short clip later, he was still wearing nan orangish vest.