WILMINGTON, Del. — If you watched President-elect Joe Biden’s victory speech on Saturday night, you may have noticed what appeared to be an inordinate number of Jeeps at the drive-in event held at the Wilmington, Delaware Convention Center.
Social media observers certainly did.
The iconic brand was well-represented at the historic event; enough to make more than one Twitter-user wonder if Jeeps are being made in Delaware these days?
The answer is no.
Jeeps have never been made in Delaware.
More than one of the vehicles at Biden's event was definitely made in Toledo, however. The Gladiator, which was unveiled in November 2018, is built at the FCA Toledo Assembly Complex Jeep factory. The Jeep Gladiator even pays tribute to its ancestral Toledo home with a "heart 419" molded into its truck bed.
At least five Jeep Gladiators were spotted in the secure zone, directly in front of the stage, part of a contingent of red, white, and blue trucks and SUVs.
U.S. Rep. Marcy Kaptur, D-Toledo, also noticed the trucks, tweeting the cars surrounded the stage while Biden delivered his address to the nation.
It was not the first speech in which Jeeps could be seen flanking the stage at a Joe Biden speech in recent days.
Observers also noticed multiple Jeeps at Biden’s speech on Wednesday, one day after Election Day prompting many to wonder if the rallies were sponsored by Jeep.
So, what is the connection between Jeep and the President-elect?
For starters, the fleet of not only Toledo-built Jeep Gladiators and Wranglers, but also Ford Rangers and Chevy Silverados - all made in the U.S. - had been arranged for the family and friends who would be arriving with Biden to his socially distanced drive-in victory speech, according to reports.
Additionally, the UAW, union that represents Fiat Chrysler Automobiles. which owns Jeeps, has endorsed Biden for president.
After Biden was announced the projected winner by the press, UAW President Rory L. Gamble released a statement saying it's time for all Americans to work together.
"Our members, our families and our communities are hurting in this pandemic and with economic challenges, health care challenges and workplace rights and safety challenges as union members. These are the issues that unite us as union members regardless of who is in power in the White House, in Congress or our Courts," Gamble said.
A spokesperson for FCA said the company played no role in the event and added the automaker does not endorse political candidates.