Donald Trump’s campaign is rebranding its Hispanic outreach efforts with the launch of “Latino Americans for Trump.” The shift from “Latinos for Trump” to “Latino Americans for Trump” is intended to emphasize that Latinos are American. The Hispanic communications director for the Republican National Committee and the Trump campaign, Jaime Florez, stated that it is important to recognize that regardless of background, everyone is American. The campaign aims to hold rallies, launch ads in English and Spanish, and promote unity among Latino voters.
Trump’s official Latino outreach campaign is starting late, just months before Election Day, with some Republican Party outreach offices for minorities closing. In comparison, the Biden campaign has been actively reaching out to Latino voters since last year, launching “Latinos con Biden” and investing in ground operations. When questioned about the timing of Trump’s Latino outreach efforts, Florez cited Trump’s legal issues with recent trials potentially delaying their plans. Trump faces criminal charges in multiple states, but these trials are unlikely to take place before the election.
In the 2020 election, Biden won 63% of the Latino vote, while Trump made progress with Latino voters in states like Texas and Florida. However, an NBC News poll indicates that Biden still leads Trump among Latino voters. Trump recently held an event in the Bronx aimed at reaching out to Hispanic and Black voters. There has been a divide amongst Latino voters regarding their approval of Biden, with concerns about the economy being a top priority. Trump’s unscripted speaking style and directness is appealing to some Hispanic supporters who appreciate his candid approach.
The Biden campaign has highlighted Biden’s achievements for Latinos during his tenure, including lower health care costs, job creation resulting in record low Latino unemployment, and increased investments in Latino small businesses. Florez acknowledged that some Hispanic people support Trump because of his straightforward communication style, even if he does not speak their language fluently. Trump has faced criticism for some of his recent comments, including suggestions of imprisoning political opponents, with critics calling him a “wannabe dictator” focused on his own interests rather than the people’s needs.
Despite the political dynamics, the Trump campaign is pushing forward with its Latino outreach efforts, aiming to connect with Hispanic voters through rallies, ads, and other initiatives. The rebranding to “Latino Americans for Trump” underscores the campaign’s message of inclusivity and unity. While the campaign is getting a late start, it seeks to mobilize Hispanic support by emphasizing Trump’s track record on issues like the economy and portraying him as a voice for their interests. The impact of this outreach effort on the larger electoral landscape remains to be seen as the election season progresses.
