LAS VEGAS (AP) — Former President Donald Trump held a campaign event in Las Vegas focused on economic ideas and Latino support. One of the speakers, Elias Trujillo, shared his personal story of coming to the United States legally but overstaying his visa. Despite Trump’s hardline stance on immigration, Trujillo plans to vote for him in the upcoming election. This highlights the contradictions between Trump’s rhetoric on immigration and his efforts to court Latino voters for his campaign.
During the event, Trump continued his warnings about drug dealers and criminals crossing the border illegally, while also praising the entrepreneurial spirit and ambition of Hispanic people. Trump has used harsh language to describe migrants, referring to them as “poisoning the blood” of the country and labeling their influx as an “invasion.” Despite these comments, Trump has seen increased support from some Latino voters, even as he focuses his campaign on a dark view of immigration.
Trump has often claimed that his economic and immigration policies would benefit Latinos and other minorities, despite conflicting economic data and his warnings about immigrants taking jobs from Black and Hispanic Americans. Many Hispanic voters see the economy as a crucial issue in the election, with around 8 in 10 saying it is one of the most important factors. Trump has worked to smooth over any apparent conflicts between his immigration stance and his support from Latino voters since his 2016 campaign.
One of the speakers at the event, Elias Trujillo, expressed initial wariness of Trump but has since come to support him, citing the former president’s potential to bring about better economic times. Trujillo, who is now a U.S. citizen, shared his struggles with running a restaurant and his hopes for a brighter future under Trump’s leadership. While Trujillo understands Trump’s concerns about illegal immigration, he also supports a pathway to legal status for those who have been working and following the law, a stance that has been part of immigration reform policies for decades.
Overall, Hispanic voters are about equally likely to have a favorable view of Trump and his Democratic opponent, Vice President Kamala Harris. The event in Las Vegas showcased Trump’s efforts to appeal to Latino voters through discussions on economic issues and personal testimonies. The contradictions between Trump’s harsh rhetoric on immigration and his outreach to Latino voters reflect the complexities of his campaign strategy and the diverse views within the Hispanic community.
