During a town hall event on Wednesday in Miami, former President Donald Trump adopted a more amiable approach towards Latino voters, emphasizing his economic achievements. However, he maintained false assertions regarding Haitian migrants in Springfield, Ohio, claiming they were consuming cats and dogs. This event, organized by Univision, was part of efforts by both political campaigns to secure the Latino demographic, which is anticipated to represent up to 15% of eligible voters. This group is considered crucial in swing states such as Arizona and Nevada.
Throughout the approximately hour-long session, Trump primarily focused on delivering an economic appeal to the Spanish-speaking audience, claiming that Latinos fared better economically during his presidency. He referred to the employment opportunities he has provided, including at his golf course in Doral, Florida, close to the event venue.
Trump was questioned by attendees about his immigration policies and his decision to undermine a bipartisan proposal aimed at strengthening asylum rules. A particular inquiry came from Jorge Velázquez, a farmer from California, who asked about the potential impact on farm labor if Trump’s promise to deport millions of undocumented migrants was fulfilled. Trump redirected the conversation to crimes committed by undocumented individuals in the country.
Trump stated, “We want workers, and we want them to come in, but they have to come in legally. They have to love our country. They have to love you, love our people.” He reiterated unfounded claims that the Biden administration had allowed into the U.S. hundreds of thousands of individuals who were murderers, drug dealers, and terrorists. However, he did not address the question regarding the impact on food costs without farm workers.
He was further questioned about a bipartisan border bill that Congress failed to pass, allegedly due to Trump’s interference. The questioner, a resident of the Chicago suburbs, expressed concern about the consequences of migration in her daily life.
Trump seems to be gaining traction with Latino voters, who traditionally leaned Democratic, by emphasizing economic concerns. Nevertheless, skepticism remains among many Latino voters. A Republican audience member expressed his unease about the events of January 6 and sought reassurance from Trump to regain trust. Trump described the Capitol riot as a “day of love,” attributing the crowds’ presence to election-related issues rather than personal endorsement.
Trump also addressed an inquiry regarding his belief in the debunked claim that Haitian migrants in Springfield, Ohio, were eating neighbors’ pets. He responded by stating, “This was just reported. I was just saying what was reported. I’m going to be there, and we’re going to take a look, and I’ll give you a full report when I do.”
The town hall took place less than a week after Democratic Vice President Kamala Harris participated in a similar event with Univision. While Democrats generally expect to secure the Latino vote, recent polling suggests that Trump has been making some inroads into this traditionally Democratic advantage.
