Trump stirs more controversy with new video of Biden

Former President Donald Trump stirred controversy on Friday by sharing a video featuring an image of President Joe Biden bound in the back of a pickup truck.

The post, shared on Trump’s social media accounts, purportedly captured during his attendance at the wake of NYPD Officer Jonathan Diller, who tragically lost his life during a recent traffic stop on Long Island.

The video depicted two trucks adorned with flags and decals expressing support for Trump, with the image of Biden prominently displayed on the rear of the second truck.

Steven Cheung, a spokesperson for the Trump campaign, defended the imagery, stating that it was captured on a passing vehicle and condemned what he described as threats of violence against Trump and his family from Democrats and “crazed lunatics.”

Responding to the video, Michael Tyler, a spokesperson for the Biden campaign, condemned Trump’s use of violent imagery, likening it to previous instances where Trump allegedly incited political violence.

Tyler referenced Trump’s past remarks, including his call for the Proud Boys to “stand back and stand by,” and warned of the seriousness of Trump’s rhetoric in light of the January 6th attack on the Capitol.

The US Secret Service declined to comment on the video, stating its policy not to confirm or discuss matters of protective intelligence.

This latest incident adds to a pattern of Trump employing dark and violent imagery in his political messaging as he positions himself for a potential White House bid in 2024.

Trump’s recent warning of a “bloodbath” for the US auto industry if he were to lose the election further underscores his combative rhetoric.

In the past, Trump has used inflammatory language to attack his political opponents, including referring to migrants as “poison” and employing derogatory terms like “vermin” to describe those on the political left.

Despite criticism, Trump’s rhetoric continues to resonate with a segment of his base, underscoring the polarizing nature of his political persona and raising concerns about the tone of political discourse in the United States.