During a Univision town hall on Wednesday, former President Donald Trump sidestepped direct answers regarding both his past actions and future pledges for the 2024 campaign. Speaking to an audience of undecided Latino voters in Miami, the Republican presidential nominee addressed key issues, such as the January 6 attack, immigration, and abortion. Despite the pressing topics, Trump often avoided delving into specifics.
The town hall served as a platform for Trump to engage with Latino and Hispanic voters, a critical demographic in swing states like Nevada and Arizona. However, a recent New York Times/Siena College poll indicated that 56% of Hispanic voters would support Vice President Kamala Harris in a potential matchup, with only 37% expressing support for Trump. In the 2020 election, Joe Biden secured 65% of Latino votes compared to Trump’s 32%, as per CNN’s exit polls.
One unregistered Republican voter voiced concerns, stating, "Your action, and maybe inaction, during your presidency and the last few years was a little disturbing to me." The voter referenced Trump's handling of the January 6 Capitol attack and the COVID-19 pandemic, highlighting the defection of key figures from Trump’s previous administration, such as former Vice President Mike Pence. "So why would I want to support you?" the voter questioned.
Trump responded that only a "very small portion" of his former staff no longer backed him. He downplayed the Capitol riot, calling it a "day of love" and attributing the large turnout in Washington to concerns about a "rigged" election. Trump emphasized that he called for peaceful behavior, reiterating, "Nothing done wrong at all."
On the topic of immigration, a voter who had worked in agriculture asked Trump how deporting undocumented workers would affect food production. Trump avoided a direct answer, instead criticizing the Biden administration's handling of the farming sector and immigration. He insisted that while the U.S. needs workers, they must enter the country legally. He further claimed that the current administration had allowed dangerous individuals, including "murderers, drug dealers, and terrorists," into the country.
Trump also faced criticism for urging Republicans to reject a bipartisan border security bill aimed at curbing illegal migration. In response, Trump defended his border policies, asserting that his administration had established "the strongest border we've ever had" and shifted the conversation to crime rates in Democratic-led cities like Chicago.
When asked whether he agreed with his wife, Melania Trump, on the issue of abortion rights—a stance she reportedly supports in her upcoming memoir—Trump refrained from giving a firm opinion, saying, "She has to go with her heart," and adding that he wouldn't want to impose his beliefs on her.
Later in the event, an audience member asked Trump to identify three virtues of Vice President Kamala Harris. Acknowledging it as the "toughest" question of the evening, Trump offered reluctant praise, citing Harris's ability to "survive" politically, her long-term friendships, and her "nice way" with people. Despite this, Trump sharply criticized her policies, particularly regarding the border and inflation.
Interestingly, Harris had faced a similar question about Trump during her own Univision town hall in Las Vegas earlier in October. Harris commended Trump's dedication to his family, but admitted she didn’t know him well, having only met him once on a debate stage.
Comments
Post a Comment