Trump Staffer Credited With Garbage Truck Appearance Tapped to Be Executive Producer

Republican presidential nominee, former President Donald Trump holds a press conference from inside trash hauler at Green Bay Austin Straubel International Airport on October 30, 2024 in Green Bay, Wisconsin. With less than a week until Election Day, Trump is campaigning for re-election in the battleground states of North Carolina and Wisconsin. Photo by Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images

President-elect Donald Trump announced on Dec. 31 that Justin Caporale—who is credited with organizing his campaign event featuring a garbage truck—will take on a new presidential executive producer role, assisting with major events and public appearances when Trump’s second term begins later this month.

“Justin Caporale has been with me right from the beginning of a very incredible journey, helping to produce our Historic Rallies and Events, including the Republican National Convention, Madison Square Garden, McDonalds commercial, and even my seriously viral ‘Garbage Truck ride,’” Trump wrote in a Truth Social post.

Caporale previously served as director of operations under former First Lady Melania Trump, where his duties included managing the day-to-day logistical operations of the East Wing, focusing on events, and planning foreign and domestic travel, according to a 2018 statement from the White House.

He also previously worked as a lead advance representative in the White House Office of Presidential Advance and as the senior lead representative for advance and operations for Trump’s presidential campaign, according to the statement.

In 2015, Caporale launched a consulting firm with a focus on advocacy efforts, event management, and strategy solutions, the White House said. Before that, he served as the national director of operations for Concerned Veterans for America.

“Once he finishes what will be our magnificent Inauguration presentation, Justin will continue to serve my external operation as Executive Producer for Major Events and Public Appearances,” Trump wrote in his Truth Social post. “Congratulations Justin. Keep up the GREAT work!”

Caporale is credited with masterminding Trump’s garbage truck appearance that made headlines during the election campaign  in October.

It was a response to President Biden’s comments during an Oct. 29, 2024, Zoom call with Voto Latino, a nonprofit aimed at registering Latinos to vote.

During the call, Biden referenced roast comedian Tony Hinchcliffe’s remarks about Puerto Rico during Trump’s rally at Madison Square Garden in New York City earlier that week.

“Just the other day, a speaker at his rally called Puerto Rico a floating island of garbage,” Biden said. “The only garbage I see floating out there is his supporters.”

The White House later said that Biden’s remarks were aimed at the jokes, and that he wasn’t referring to Trump supporters as garbage.