Jimmy Williams
Former President Donald Trump stirred controversy on social media Friday by sharing a video featuring an image of President Joe Biden bound and restrained in the back of a pickup truck.
The 20-second video, reportedly taken in Long Island, New York, shows a truck adorned with “Trump 2024” and a large picture portraying Biden tied up and lying on his side.
Trump’s campaign spokesperson, Steven Cheung, defended the image, stating that it was on the back of a pickup truck traveling down the highway. Cheung accused Democrats and critics of inciting violence against Trump and his family.
In response, Biden campaign spokesman Michael Tyler condemned Trump’s actions, likening them to incitement of violence and referencing the January 6 Capitol riot.
“This image from Donald Trump is the type of crap you post when you’re calling for a bloodbath or when you tell the Proud Boys to ‘stand back and stand by,'” Tyler said in a statement. “Trump is regularly inciting political violence and it’s time people take him seriously — just ask the Capitol Police officers who were attacked protecting our democracy on January 6.”
The White House referred questions about the video to the campaign, distancing itself from the controversy.
This incident is not the first time Trump has employed violent imagery and rhetoric. Previously, he warned of a “bloodbath” if not re-elected and made veiled threats regarding potential consequences if indicted in legal cases against him.
Moreover, Trump has faced criticism for targeting Judge Juan Merchan and his daughter on his Truth Social platform after being subjected to a partial gag order in his legal proceedings.
Trump currently faces multiple criminal indictments, including charges related to election interference and hush money payments, to which he has pleaded not guilty.