Ronkonkoma, New York – In a controversial move on social media, former President Donald Trump shared a video on Friday that depicted a disturbing image of President Joe Biden bound and restrained in the back of a pickup truck. The video, lasting 20 seconds, was purportedly taken in Long Island, New York, showcasing a truck adorned with “Trump 2024” and a graphic image of Biden tied up and lying on his side.
Trump’s sharing of the video came after attending the wake of fallen NYPD officer Jonathan Diller in Long Island on Thursday. In response to the image, Trump’s campaign spokesperson Steven Cheung defended it by stating that it was merely a picture on the back of a moving pickup truck. Cheung also lashed out at “Democrats and crazed lunatics,” accusing them of inciting violence against Trump and his family and using the justice system as a weapon against him.
Trump’s actions drew criticism from Biden’s campaign spokesman, Michael Tyler, who condemned the video as inflammatory and likened it to inciting violent behavior similar to the Capitol insurrection on January 6th. The White House declined to comment on the video, referring inquiries to the campaign.
This is not the first time Trump has used violent imagery and rhetoric in his messaging. In previous instances, Trump has made ominous statements about the consequences of his potential legal troubles, including warning of a “bloodbath” if he was not re-elected in 2024 and suggesting “death and destruction” if he faced charges.
Moreover, Trump’s recent posts on his Truth Social platform targeting Judge Juan Merchan, overseeing his hush money case, and the judge’s daughter have raised concerns over his continued use of provocative language and imagery. The former president currently faces four criminal indictments related to charges of election interference, mishandling classified documents, and falsifying business records in connection to hush money payments, to which he has pleaded not guilty.
As the political climate remains tense, Trump’s actions continue to spark controversy and debate over the boundaries of political discourse and the consequences of inflammatory rhetoric in public discourse.