A stark contrast continues to be evident between President Joe Biden and former President Donald Trump as they face off against each other in the upcoming November election. The disparity between the two was on full display when Biden made a stop at Sheetz, a convenience store in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, on Wednesday.
Unlike Trump, who is enthusiastically received by large crowds, Biden’s arrival at Sheetz was met with a relatively small and unenthusiastic crowd. The Pittsburgh Post Gazette reported that Biden was endorsed for re-election by the United Steelworkers, after siding with them in the fight against Japanese steel company Nippon Steel’s proposal to purchase U.S. Steel for $14.9 billion, which is headquartered in Pittsburgh.
Before heading to the airport, Biden decided to make a stop at Sheetz to purchase sandwiches for construction workers at the airport’s new terminal. He shook hands with employees and took pictures, but his attempt to answer questions from the press was awkward. He then shuffled out of the store.
Despite being flanked by Pittsburgh Mayor Ed Gainey and Allegheny County Executive Sara Innamorato, there was not much excitement or energy surrounding Biden’s appearance. It was a lackluster and uneventful stop for a sitting President just a few months away from his re-election bid.
Trump, on the other hand, visited a bodega in Harlem, New York on Tuesday evening, where he was greeted with cheering and energy-filled crowds. The Pittsburgh Post Gazette also reported that Biden’s choice of Sheetz for this particular appearance was strategic. This is in contrast to Trump’s visit to the “Jose Alba Bodega,” where in 2022, a worker named Jose Alba stabbed an assailant who came behind the counter to attack him.
Biden visit a Sheetz gas station in Pittsburgh Pennsylvania pic.twitter.com/x0ba0UQHFJ
— Howard Mortman (@HowardMortman) April 17, 2024
Chants of “We love Trump!” were heard as crowds packed in to see and support him. Unlike Biden, whose audience at Sheetz appeared to be mostly coincidental patrons, Trump was met with a passionate crowd who were there to show their support.
Chants of “WE LOVE TRUMP!” break out as Trump visits a bodega in Harlem.pic.twitter.com/fVwkLHUr9r
— GOP (@GOP) April 17, 2024
The bodega Trump visited was no ordinary store. It gained attention in 2022 when Jose Alba was arrested and charged with murder after fatally stabbing an assailant. Alba was eventually released from Rikers Island jail and had his charges dropped, due to public outcry.
Flippin genius.
President Trump leaves NY starchamber show-trial and stops at bodega in Harlem.
The crowd loves him.
(Credit @RSBNetwork) pic.twitter.com/jHJYPxWxpB
— Sebastian Gorka DrG (@SebGorka) April 16, 2024
In a clip from the “Greg Kelly Report” on Newsmax, Trump spoke about the situation surrounding bodegas and the rampant crime they face. He stated that he was invited to the bodega by the owners, whom he and they had a mutual respect for. These owners, much like bodega owners in other areas, face high levels of crime, including armed robberies.
Remember the man who defended himself 2 years ago and Alvin Bragg arrested and charged him? Trump pays a visit to the same bodega and is treated as a hero.
Love us some Trump! Make NY safe again. pic.twitter.com/mi6Q4sFjRx
— SweetPeaBelle (@SweetPeaBell326) April 17, 2024
Despite constantly criticizing Trump, it is evident that Biden tried to replicate his signature, spontaneous public appearances during his Sheetz stop. However, the contrast between Biden and Trump was clear. While Biden stumbled through an almost empty convenience store, Trump was met with cheers, applause, and enthusiastic handshakes on a crowded street.
If it wasn’t so damn sad, it would be funny. Biden is an empty husk of a man & everyone knows it. That many will still vote for this angry senile old fart is really sad & a danger for our country.