In a recent social media post, former President Donald Trump shared a video featuring a provocative image of President Joe Biden bound in the back of a pickup truck. The video, reportedly filmed on Long Island last Thursday, was shared while Trump attended the wake of NYPD Officer Jonathan Diller, tragically killed during a routine traffic stop.
The video showcases two trucks adorned with flags and decals expressing support for Trump. The contentious image of Biden was displayed on the rear of the second vehicle. Steven Cheung, a spokesperson for the Trump campaign, defended the post, stating, “That picture was on the back of a pick up truck that was traveling down the highway. Democrats and fervent critics have not only incited violence against President Trump and his family, but they are also weaponizing the justice system against him.”
Michael Tyler, a spokesperson for the Biden campaign, responded to the post in a statement to CNN. He said, “This image from Donald Trump is the kind of offensive material you share when you’re advocating for a ‘bloodbath’ or when you instruct the Proud Boys to ‘stand back and stand by.’ Trump’s regular incitement of political violence should be taken seriously, as evidenced by the Capitol Police officers who were attacked while defending our democracy on January 6.”
The US Secret Service, when asked for comment, maintained its policy of not confirming or commenting on matters of protective intelligence.
This incident is yet another example of Trump’s use of provocative and violent imagery in his campaign messaging, a tactic that seems to be fueling his potential White House bid. Earlier this month, Trump warned of a “bloodbath” for the US auto industry and the country if he were to lose the 2024 election. He also pledged a “100% tariff” on cars manufactured outside the US, arguing that domestic auto manufacturing would only be safeguarded if he were re-elected.
Trump’s controversial remarks extend beyond domestic issues. In December, he claimed that migrants are “poisoning the blood” of the US and used a quote from Russian President Vladimir Putin to label Biden as a “threat to democracy.” These comments align with his pattern of expressing admiration for foreign leaders who employ anti-democratic measures to retain power.
In a separate incident, Trump used the term “vermin” to describe his political adversaries during a campaign event in New Hampshire last November. This language drew widespread criticism, including from Biden, who compared his comments to “language you heard in Nazi Germany.” Trump countered by telling the crowd, “We will root out the communists, Marxists, fascists and the radical left thugs that live like vermin within the confines of our country,” and warned that “the real threat is not from the radical right. The real threat is from the radical left, and it’s growing every day.”