During a recent town hall, former President Donald Trump adopted a more welcoming approach aimed at Latino voters in Miami. He highlighted his economic accomplishments but doubled down on misleading claims regarding Haitian migrants reportedly eating pets in Springfield, Ohio.
The event, which occurred as both political parties aim to capture the Latino vote—projected to constitute around 15% of eligible voters—focused on key swing states like Arizona and Nevada.
Over an hour-long session, Trump emphasized economic gains during his tenure, asserting that Latinos thrived under his presidency. He referenced job opportunities created, particularly at his golf course in Doral, Florida, near the event location.
However, attendees questioned Trump about his immigration policies and his past rejection of a bipartisan plan aimed at strengthening asylum regulations.
A farmer from California, Jorge Velázquez, challenged Trump on how the agricultural sector would function if he followed through on promises to deport millions of undocumented workers. Trump deflected the question, shifting instead to focus on crimes committed by undocumented individuals.
Trump stated, “We want workers to come in legally. They have to love our country and our people.” He continued to propagate unfounded claims that the Biden administration had released “hundreds of thousands of murderers and drug dealers” into the U.S.
Despite his economic messaging resonating with some attendees, Trump faced skepticism among Latino voters. One Republican audience member expressed concerns over the January 6 Capitol riots, hoping Trump might earn back his support.
In response, Trump described the day’s events as a “day of love,” asserting that the large crowd gathered due to concerns about election integrity.
Concerns were also raised regarding Trump’s claims about Haitian migrants allegedly consuming pets—a narrative long debunked by community leaders.
In light of the push to secure the Latino vote, Trump’s Democratic opponent, Vice President Harris, also participated in a town hall less than a week earlier. While Democrats are predicted to gain substantial support from Latino voters, recent polls indicate that Trump may be narrowing that gap.
