Speaking at an official White House event on April 16th, President Trump thanked truck drivers for being “the foot soldiers who are really carrying us to victory.” The president was flanked by two big rigs, four truck drivers, and DOT Secretary Elaine Chao as he welcomed American Trucking Association President and CEO Chris Spear up to the podium.
“American truckers are the foot soldiers who are really carrying us to victory,” said President Trump. “They’ve done an incredible job. We’ve had no problems. It’s been just — it’s been just great.”
UPS driver Charleton Paul, DHL Express driver Dylan Mattigan, and Big G Express driver Steven Richardson all took the podium and offered a few words, after which President Trump presented them and FedEx Ground driver Tina Peterson with a large honorary key. At the end, President Trump welcomed Chris Spear with an honorary key as well.
“Where is Chris Spear?” The president asked. “Come here, Chris! That’s big power! Come here Chris!”
You can see the full address below.
You invite ata and 4 mega carrier drivers. Where’s the owner operators???
We the owner operators out here run our tails off vs the company mega drivers..i think we should be compensated a little bit for treading thru this pandemic.who know if we are catching it and taken it home to our family and friends..every working individuals got a stimulus check lots of them are home safe we aren’t..how bout a few bucks extra to show your support for our efforts in keeping the country going..what ya say president Trump.
Well here David, let me enrage you even further. Not only are we working but everyone that got laid off, got that stimulus and don’t forget, most are also now getting almost $1000 a week in unemployment. (That $600 a week Trump added onto whatever each states weekly unemployment is). So yeah, good way to thank truckers, doctors, nurses, first responders, grocery store workers, fast food workers and anyone else being forced to work in this because they’re deemed “essential” and most are earning even less than what the mass of cry babies and are earning for sitting at home. If I come down with COVID19, maybe I can sue the federal government?
What’s the difference between a truck driver and a puppy? Come on, man. Lighten up! When was the last time Truckers were recognized for anything?
And that’s the point. Great posting. The other guys I couldn’t believe what I was reading.
I’m not as cute as a puppy. But at least I won’t chew your shoes. What a bunch of crybaby’s – I didn’t lose my job so what about me ? Well it’s the first time I’ve been glad I’m a driver because I’m still working how about that. Are we at risk ? Sure. Owner -ops work harder than Co drivers ? Give me a break, some of them make 32 c / mile.
We were trying to make a dollar, by hauling the freight that the Mega Carriers keep cutting the rates on. Brother if you own a truck or small company then you know your the back bone. The back bone doesn’t have extra time on his or her hands, it’s a full time job being the supporter, so you’re never invited to the party. Besides they don’t want a real truck driver up there his clothes are too greasy, they want executive and steering wheel holders, they dress better and look better. Can’t drive worth a shit but look better
Face it, no one wants to see a 350 lb trucker up near the podium by the President of the United States in his muffin top booty shorts, halter style tank top with food stains, and flip flops. And any trucker out who is dressing like this, Please stop.
That’s what I want to know.
Driver didn’t u get the memo on the Government Required ELD, O/O are not included in this nationwide save the country mission because the MEGA carriers and the ATA are what keeps this country moving because we (OO) don’t have big names behind us.
Really.. its all politics.. ATA, DHL,FDEX UPS? REALLY?
SCREW TRUMP.
ATA is a big power indeed. Always lobbing for the mega carriers. Where is OOIDA on this,
Where is TEAMSTERS?
ANY WAY ALL DID SOLD OUT. AND WERE HERE ..WORKING HARD, MAKING LESS MONEY, AND STILL, BEING DISRESPECTED BY EVERY ONE. EVEN, BY SOME TRUCKERS ..SO CALLED TRUCK DRIVERS..SCREW THIS
Where’s the teamsters they were taken out of the otr sometime ago. That’s where
EXACTLY! Owner Operators not being represented…..SMH
Amen
I swear I have been following one driver for 6 years and every stage of he’s driving carrier he always complains about something. He did company, lease, and now full O/O but still cries smh.
Come on man don’t be a cry baby
Ouch!!
Should have had the OOIDA Board of Directors there instead.
Having the president of the ATA there to represent truckers is like inviting the head of The Mafia to represent Italians.
🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣
Thank God that Trump is in office now as opposed to the alternate. I was flipped off just the other day because I guess my big slow truck was in someone’s way. Not everyone is so appreciative. Will they ever learn
Y did they pick the ugliest pos for the photo op?
lol
Shouldn’t talk about Mango Mussolini that way!
Shoulda been a shiny OLD W900! That’s what a REAL truck is!
It’s a REAL old though…no aerodynamics means you’re moving a brick trough the air. Get outta here with that logic
No… I’m sure YCR, ABF, are all Teamster’s and think that UPS are also
Oh yeah, big mega-carriers and head propaganda chief from the ATA. Where was OOIDA and the real back-bone of the trucking industry: owner-operators???
Why do ya think these is even in the news… Thr president, or even closer to home government. Does NOT give a crapbabout truck drivers , bug fleets, small business owner operators
I’m sure it was just another publicity stunt that day or week..
Maybe this 4 got picked, Cuz them or their boss is one that follows the President Trump’s Twitter Page…..and they were one of the 100 left on his account from the public… LOL 😆
What a joke, ATA and mega carriers, are you serious, the ATA is the reason why we have electronic logs and the regulations, we know who the ATA works for, this is disgusting.
Thats a big 10-4
Yep…ATA and Chris Spears needs to go away. It’s like they work against the trucking industry.
AGAINST TRUCK DRIVERS FOR SURE.. SOBs ARE LOBBISTS FOR THE MEGA CARRIERS AND FMCSA.
ANSWER THAT…FOR YEARS WE BEING FIGHTING AGAINST THIS HOS..BUT NOW. WITH THIS PANDEMIC, THEY DID SUSPENDED IT.. F@$%#* ATA
No one cares for the owner operator the small man always suffer.
Same guy that promised to help the industry took away our per diem and drowned us in untested regulations costing us even more money and fighting for a parking spot every day. You know where you can stick that thanks Treason Boy.
Although recognition is always nice what is really needed would be a longer lasting reward. This would start by regulating the outrageous cost of insurance for the trucking industry. This in itself makes it difficult to be an owner operator. Especially since brokers and companies expect you to run for less than what it costs for expenses. Truckers move the world everyday not just when there is a disaster. Everything in your everyday life wouldn’t be possible if it weren’t for truckers. The sooner the world gets it, the better we will all be. God bless each one of you who keep the world moving. Praying for a better outlook ahead for all of us.
dsts bs. They nothing. Its all the other smaller companies dat been bustin our buttons out here not them.
Guys, this is how it went. Trump: are we done? Now get these things off the lawn!!! It was embarrassing to say the least, if everyone was so thankful what we did how come nothing was said about pay, infrastructure, waving certain fees and taxes. Once this is over we are sheep once again
Driver we became sheep going to SLAUGHTER since Carter took office
Well, let’s look at it in a positive light. he called on the truckers because he knows that without those people driving these massive rigs , there is no food or medicine for entire North America.👌
Sure there is. All they have to do is call in the National Guard to move it.
Wow guys I know ATA and the mega carriers are not on most drivers side but you can’t even be thankful that the POTUS was giving truck drivers an acknowledgment of thanks for what we do. ALL drivers deserve thanks for keeping this country going and we finally get a little recognition and you immediately have negative comments. This is what is wrong with the world today “ungrateful people “ well I would like to say thank you President Trump. I appreciate the kind words and recognition of my hard work.
If he really wanted to thank us…he would give us back our freedom to run the way we use too, and help us get better Rates
Better rates will only come when drivers don’t haul cheap freight.
Well said.
What no swift? One of the most mega of mega carriers….. I guess we were to busy still running the loads that the others couldn’t make a profit with.
I’m stuck in Denver cause I’m not letting the brokers get Richter.Their pockets are getting thicker settings on their buts at home.After swift wrecks enough trucks and kills more people like there snow deL first of this winter. They’re mega crash dummies
lol
You want to properly “thank” truckers? How about a piece of all that money you’re throwing around, paying people more $ to sit on their ass and play video games all day than they were making working? We want ours!!
Thank God for truckers! Now let’s hurry and get the driverless trucks going so the ceos can make more money!
This was a total slap in the face to the O/O for sure. The Anti Trucker Association is responsible for this. Might be time to drive down to 1600 to say hello O/O. Just a thought.
Why are we still treated the way we are then. They close resturants , reast area’s to us. They make wait out side in the wind , rain and cold for hours. Exspecaily at the ports. I think they are blowing smoke and the drivers should strike.
tRump could care less about truck drivers. tRump cares about tRump.
They don’t give a crap about us, the ELD’s promote fatigue driving, it’s just all about the money to them , electronic logs is all about the money multibillion-dollar one, all the rules an electronic devices are just a way to generate cash flow fancy spy on us and invade our privacy just to figure out more ways to rip us off and then eventually get rid of us for driverless trucks, I call it the biggest get it in the butt job I can think of, and that’s the truth our government is a bunch of common criminals, thieves and eventually we’ll eventually exterminate us when they get the opportunity.. don’t forget they think of us as the deplorables
Well Driver I Appreciate All you Fellow Deplorable Drivers
I grew why we are never mentioned unless it’s negative…
I swear all these political ploys be a mockery. So sick of government and the Fed.
Truckers and O/O with less than 25 trucks are not a valid source. Been this way since early day’s of trucking. ATA and Chris Spear is nothing but Mafia and Union backed. Mega thief is all they are.
How about he celebrate us by giving all of our right offs back. 😐 Taking from the middle class to ease taxes for the rich. Him included. He can keep his photo ops because we aren’t buying it. The industry knows and we will not forget.
So you picked mail carriers as the means.
Reefer box, skateboard, step deck, lowboy, am I joke to you?
Wow, I’ve been driving since 1984. No owner operators . And ATA is a joke. Now we need to go on a strike after all this is over for 3 days and see how bad the country really needs us. No mask, or hand sanitizer. Now they more and likely to have cases of all of those items
F the ATA
All talk. No action. Truckers are now faced with fewer parking spaces,.fewer restrooms, closed rest areas, less healthy food due to closed truck stop restaurants, fewer showers, unsanitary conditions, shippers & receivers that keep them out of buildings, and countless other frustrations and injustices. Thank the truckers by making changes and stop the pitiful grandstanding. Trump is void of any actual concern, with no ideas on how to make their jobs better or easier. What a joke.
While the red states and their bought and paid for representatives continue their wealth redistribution tactics and continuing drive to decimate independents and small fleets…nothing but foolishess, to put it nicely.
The Red States? Red states are Republican states, Blue states are Democrats.
Red State Blue State My State Your State….Truckers State. We are Larger Than Them All
You guys are truck Drivers I got mad love for you . But I’m a truck Driver to you see how they thank us they won’t thank us they gonna thank the big money . But its not there fault they don’t have any idea who the real foot solders are and the never will that are simply going to where they think the truck drivers will be . We have always been like this soon us older drivers will be a thing of the past . And that’s when the trucking industry will half to start all over and learn every thing the hard way.. thank you all of you truckers no one and nothing can do what we do like we do it remember that and stick together.
Blah blah blah. Carriers that have horrible safety records, that don’t haul anything important. ATA, Chris, the criminal, Spears. That worthless pos Chao doing a good job lol bs. Mr. Trump stick your thank you up your 3ed point of contact. You get drivers killed with your bs regulations. If you really want to thank me get out of my pocketbook and end these bs regulations.
It sickens me not to see a Pete 379 sitting tall at the White House lawn when the trucking industry is invited. An iconic legend, a legacy to be dismissed just like that is heartbreaking.
Again, thank you Mr President for recognizing the work we do for our country.
God bless America.
Who cares about a 379 pete, all they celebrated was policts and government, what about talking about the decline in the rates of the loads how every broker is taking advantage of what’s going on paying $1 a mile some loads less than that. How about that mr.pete 379
10/4 thats what is important here now.
Amen driver
No owner operators, no women, no minorities. How about thanking us by paying us some damn money for these loads and quit bullshitting us around, trying to throw 70 cents a mile. Yeah. Looks like you care!
What about the owner operators trying to get the loans to keep our business going. I want someone to address that to President Trump at one of his briefings
We’ve been running 65-70 hrs for three weeks 6 days a week doubled our drivers watching sales go through the roof! But we’re salary and don’t make one cent more for it! The company I work for is great, but they sure arent showing no love in this mess.
My Drivers are salary also and since this mess has been going on I give them each a weekly $200.00 bonus.
Anyone notice how close they are standing? So much for setting an example…
it sickens me that why shippers increased the rates . that brokers cut the rates so bad over the last 3-4 weeks they are making a lot of money while we are working for nothing …..please say no to cheap freight that really isn’t cheap…leave the brokers with the loads and no trucks
Thank you Mr. President for acknowledging us truckers and those who have risked our lives and have been away from family since before the outbreak. This reminds me of when I served in the military. I am grateful that I am working and getting a paycheck. Many people are not as fortunate. Thank you for loosening the regulations, as freight is getting unpredictable and I am sure the solo truckers need the flexibility to make the loads work.
We appreciate the work you and your staff have done so far. I know you have some difficult issues and decisions to make. Keep up with the good work and let’s thank God daily for His help through this and let’s remember to continue “MAGA”.
🤢🤮
👍🏽👏🏽
It was nice that the president offered a shout out and thanks to the truckers.
Unfortunately when you look at two people in the photo opportunity, Liz Chao and Chris Spears. Who are both worthless hacks.
Then you know that he is clueless about the trucking industry or how it really works
More double talk and the wrong people representing us makes me sick
Typically of most meager minded individuals who arent aware enough to realize the idiocracy of what they saying. I own three 379 Pete’s and operate one myself. Yea, a little selfish of me to not see one of the trucks I love up there, but at least the public eye is seeing trucks as the lifeline and realizing. These fleet trucks are unfortunately the face of the US. We owner operators are not as seen……REGARDLESS, you all complain no one recognizes us, then when they do, you all complain its bureaucratic, or it’s not the right truck they’re showing, or this or that. Good gosh quit your dang complaining and do your job. Bunch of whiney Neanderthals!!!! Typical American today, complain about EVERYTHING. Just be thankful we are working and getting some recognition regardless of your status of owning or operating or whatever venture you may be in. Negative ass people I swear!! God Bless America and to all who still support and do things the RIGHT way, regardless of how our Government is or is not doing things or those around us!
Amen
Loves us when in need,
Hate us when they don’t need us. And that goes for the companies to.
Bet their not complaining about early delivery these days. I am a driver of 40yrs, never appreciated.
Show up early they complain, show up late they complain, just show up they complain. Appreciations stop about 65yrs ago, ask the old timers they know.
Show up late they charge you.
I’ve been a driver 58 years and nothing’s ever changed its all bs a key placard a belt buckle it’s all bs it doesn’t amount to s*** when you really are driving and you’re trying to get to someplace you need to be and you get there nobody gives a s*** either way so here we are in 2020 and the president is giving out crap on the White House lawn really what happened to the owner operators what time does Union companies what happened to the conglomerate set just obliterated everybody else and just picked who they wanted who’s worthless as tits on a boar ho ho ho
Well said…
Why don’t cdl drivers get hazard pay?
I’m almost sure UPS and DHL are carrying you to the victory. 😀😀😀
Off TV Donald Trump wouldn’t waste his spit on a truck driver. Bum.
Nice to see positive recognition from the media, but when the world get backs to normal, we will return to being pond scum in the eyes of the public.
In Brazil truckers are more united. It doesn’t matter O/O or Co. driver. When drivers call for strike, all will do. Over here just bla-bla-bla, this why rates are too low and big Co. been more and more profitable. O/O are not recognized for our Government, we are by ourselves, we are all trash for them. No matter what, we will survive.
Who in the world drove the swift truck in without hitting the white house ??
😂😂😂😂
😂😂
They hired a O/O.
Yup, no matter what, complain.
I guess the prez should not have honored us, then you would be complaining about that too.
And then, it’s like, “Ummm, geee, why doesn’t anyone like us”?
I hope some of you will write directly to the Pres on the white house comments line so that if he would do anything he knows some of the facts to work from.
I’m sure he does appreciate us !! With all the millions he takes in extra taxes since he took away our per diem tax deduction!
He did say that he was trying to get us the per diem back
If that were true…he could use his two favorite words… Executive Order
It’s a shame he had to be standing in front of 2 Volvos something wrong with a US brand.
You guys whine about everything.
It was a dog & pony show for the general public..it does not matter whose truck is sitting there.
Had an owner/operator had his truck there, then you malcontents would bitch about how he wasted time and fuel going to Washington, DC, and that he should be out working.
drivers finally get recognized for something at all I’m hearing is a bunch of paranoid cry babies! Accept it and move on people. I’m very disturbed being associated with people with this attitude!. Find another job! Get off the road please!
😂. No doubt.
It’s a love and hate relationship!!
Owners operators always the same and don’t due what they have to due…..they don’t have the enough brain to think ,if the o/o stop trucks for one week only the result is problem solved… but they prefer screaming all the time for nothing…God help all yours…
You should seek your rewards in heaven not here down on Earth just keep the job you’re doing and do it well
I look at it like this God gave me the ability to do the job I’m going to do the job receive His blessings and passed them on the others and not see Rewards here on Earth I’d rather receive my rewards in heaven cuz if you say come here on Earth you will not get them in heaven and there’s nothing on this Earth I want
It’s to bad both sides of the isle in the trucking sector didnt get recognized, but if you need a pat on the back to make you feel good about yourself then the problem doesn’t lye on them. If you haul for a price below your fixed and variable cost that is an individual problem. You should know that the Mega Carriers cannot haul all Americas freight they are even to Small for a big job like that. Most of American people are wise to these Mega Carrier methods of treating drivers. With that I leave you with if no one wants to work for these carriers they to will go OUT of business. Just another company in the wind. You have a choice after all this is AMERICA
O/O are plagued with maintenance costs, insurance costs, supporting home and family ,truck payments (for some) , and of course the pride , of doing a dog gone good job! Some of us get our selves ” between a rock and a hard place” sometimes but, we love what we do or we wouldn’t do it! I agree , that I would like to have seen an o/o with his / her fateful old Truck . However, at least, maybe the clueless will have a new found appreciation for trucks ( wishful thinking ) . Even with ALL the aggravation that goes with it – I love being an O/O and the having the pride to not be dependent on someone else for a living.
No I’m a company driver but I respect the owner operators I got 44 years out here never owned a truck don’t want to, my dad drove for 43 years did own 7 trucks in the seventies,the strike with ahole drivers burn three trucks to the ground in the yard. What Pees me off about this issue they put a driver on the news who delivers empty barrels to 1 yard drops the trailer takes wine barrels back to the other yard drops the trailer what I call a super trucker and ask him what the issues are have been doing the coronavirus for him and truck drivers I do all 48 states why don’t they ask someone like me like how the shippers and receivers no longer allow us to use their restroom they give us a nasty odd House or a porta potty to use he did say we have to walk up drive-up windows get food I haven’t had a sit-down meal in six weeks he didn’t say nothing about about how people coming to the truck stop in and horde it like they do Walmart’s and other grocery stores, leaving us truck drivers with leftovers he didn’t say anything about how they leave the rest areas open but don’t have any facilities they are closed, or how they put plastic glass so you cannot make face-to-face contact makes you feel really wanted like a redheaded stepchild or the fact that nobody is offered me a face mask or gloves and we’re on the Frontline what do we need with them, or now States are telling us to buy or make face coverings they don’t want us out of our truck without them, nor can we use the lounge to see TV. This driver who spoke for us knows nothing about over the road but he’s been out there 12 years. What I’ve seen in this country disgust me they remove laws so we can move freight when they need us, When they don’t need us in an emergency we’re treated like poop I know I’ve been out here long enough why would I expect anything different. This whole country is about me,me me I,I,I, and myself and everybody else can kiss my butt me first, and we’re all supposed to help each other God help the people of this nation and world we definitely need it
Two trucks from a company partly owned by China. Bad Idea.
I would like to take this opportunity to say that President Trump is the greatest American President that this country has had in modern times. He has done more to make this country great again as promised in his run for the presidency.
I feel honored that he took time out of his busy schedule, during this disaster that has set the entire world on it’s heels, to honor & thank truck drivers. I supply grocery warehouses for a dedicated carrier, believe me when I say that I’m busy busy busy. Lastly I am so happy that he did not have a former Trans. Mgr. that I had the displeasure of working for at his ceremony. This Trans. Mgr. is the most arrogant, narcissistic, abusive supervisor I’ve ever worked for in my entire life. Had he been invited to the ceremony, I would’ve driven my truck off the highest cliff in this great nation or our’s.
I am wondering if there are fewer accidents involving semis. 🤔 Regulations are eased, so we supposedly can run better. Fewer four wheelers on the road, so they aren’t cutting us off just to romp their brakes in front of us.
Does anyone know the real answer to this observation? None of the BS most drivers spout because they don’t have a clue. I am one of those that don’t have a clue but really want to know the truth. ATA supposedly did a study on HOS and that’s why we have so many restrictions. This is a very good time to really look at the regs and see just how many regs drivers don’t need to get the job done right.
Isabella, I was recently towed by a company who’s driver told me he was being laid off because there weren’t enough accidents to keep them busy! Hope this helps.
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