Vivek Ramaswamy, took to the streets on Wednesday to join sanitation workers in Charlotte, North Carolina, saying, “We’re not the garbage, we’re taking out the garbage.” His display a pointed response to the recent remarks by President Joe Biden, who, on a call with Latino supporters, described Trump’s base as “garbage”.
In a video shared on X, Ramaswamy was seen operating a garbage truck, greeting sanitation workers, and collecting trash on the streets. The gesture, was accompanied by a statement: “America is ready for us to TAKE OUT THE TRASH in this election.” He also promised to bring this message to an upcoming Trump campaign event.
At the Charlotte rally, Ramaswamy continued to amplify his message, bringing a sanitation worker onstage to spotlight what he framed as the dedication of “real” American workers.
“Rode around with Leo today. He’d be better at leading than at least half the mayors or governors in this country,” Ramaswamy said in a follow-up post.
Trump boards garbage truck
Ramaswamy’s act came hours before a similar move by Donald Trump when he climbed into a garbage truck during a Wisconsin rally. Trump, wearing a high-visibility vest, sat in the passenger seat and addressed reporters with a quip: “How do you like my garbage truck? This is in honour of Kamala and Joe Biden.”
Trump further referenced comedian Tony Hinchcliffe’s recent controversial joke about Puerto Rico, made at a Trump rally, which described the territory as “a floating island of garbage.” Biden defended Puerto Ricans during a virtual event, clarifying that he was condemning such rhetoric rather than Trump supporters themselves. Nevertheless, Trump seized on Biden’s words, paralleling them to Hillary Clinton’s 2016 “basket of deplorables” remark, which became a rallying cry for Republicans.
Biden’s gaffe and Kamala’s response
President Biden later clarified his words, stating that his use of “garbage” referred solely to the comments made at Trump’s rally. “The only garbage I see floating out there is the hateful rhetoric against Puerto Rico and Latinos,” Biden explained on social media. However, Biden’s clarification did little to quell the backlash, and Republicans seized the opportunity to highlight perceived disdain toward Trump supporters.
Vice President Kamala Harris attempted to ease tensions by addressing the incident in her own campaign messaging. “I strongly disagree with any criticism of people based on who they vote for,” she remarked, reiterating her commitment to represent all Americans. However, the damage had already been done, and the comparison to Clinton’s “deplorables” comment revived memories of 2016’s presidential race.