Former President Donald Trump adopted a more conciliatory approach toward Latino voters during a town hall event on Wednesday. During the session, he highlighted his economic accomplishments but maintained inaccurate assertions about Haitian migrants consuming cats and dogs in Springfield, Ohio. The town hall, organized by Univision, aired as both political campaigns aim to capture the Latino vote, a group anticipated to comprise up to 15% of eligible voters and potentially influence key battleground states such as Arizona and Nevada.
Throughout the approximately one-hour event, Trump emphasized economic issues to the Spanish-speaking audience, claiming that Latino individuals had been more prosperous under his presidency. He noted the employment opportunities provided, including positions at his golf course in Doral, Florida, located near the town hall’s venue.
However, Trump also faced questions from attendees regarding his immigration plans and why he had obstructed a bipartisan initiative that sought to tighten asylum regulations. One Californian farmer, Jorge Velázquez, inquired about the workforce situation should Trump proceed with his proposal to deport millions of undocumented immigrants. Trump diverted the question to focus on crimes committed by individuals residing illegally in the country.
Addressing the issue of migrant labor, Trump stated, “So 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.” Additionally, Trump reiterated false claims that the Biden administration allowed “hundreds of thousands” of individuals, including murderers and drug dealers, to enter the U.S. but did not address the query of how food costs would be impacted without farm workers.
The former president was also questioned about a failed bipartisan border bill in Congress, which he reportedly blocked. A resident from the Chicago suburbs mentioned the daily consequences experienced due to migration flow.
While Trump has gained traction with Latino voters through his economic messaging, he continues to encounter skepticism from portions of this demographic. During one exchange, a Republican audience member expressed concerns regarding the events of January 6 and sought assurance from Trump to regain his support. Trump responded by referring to the Capitol incident as a “day of love,” claiming that the attendees were motivated by election issues rather than his influence.
In another instance, Trump was asked if he genuinely believed the disproven claim that Haitian migrants in Springfield, Ohio, had eaten pets belonging to local residents—a statement that local officials have refuted. Trump explained, “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.”
This town hall took place shortly after Trump’s Democratic opponent, Vice President Kamala Harris, engaged with Univision in her own town hall event. While Democrats are traditionally favored to secure the Latino vote, current polls indicate that Trump has eroded some of the Democratic Party’s longstanding advantage within this demographic.