During a recent rally in Albuquerque, New Mexico, former President Donald Trump openly shared his motive for visiting the state: to improve his standing with Hispanic and Latino voters. This admission comes after a significant drop in his popularity among this demographic, largely attributed to controversial remarks made by a comedian during a separate event in New York City.
In his address, Trump expressed his impatience with the crowd, stating, “New Mexico, look, don’t make me waste a whole damn half a day here, OK?” He aimed to reinforce his connection with Hispanic voters by claiming, “First of all, Hispanics love Trump, they do. True. I like them. They’re smart.” This remark was a direct jab at Vice President Kamala Harris, whom he criticized for her perceived lack of intelligence.
Trump emphasized his intent by declaring, “So I’m here for one simple reason. I like you very much, and it’s good for my credentials with the Hispanic or Latino community.” He noted the differing preferences for terminology among various regions, stating, “You know on the East Coast, they like being called Hispanics. On the West Coast, they like being called Latinos.” This comment highlighted a debate he had with an adviser regarding the appropriate term to use in New Mexico.
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To engage with the audience, Trump conducted informal polls, asking attendees which term they preferred—Hispanic or Latino—and whether they had voted yet, receiving mixed responses. He acknowledged timing missteps, saying, “I should’ve done this trip about a week earlier. It’s all right, these are minor mistakes.”
Following recent controversies, particularly the backlash from a comedian’s derogatory remarks about Puerto Rico, Trump’s campaign released a statement distancing itself from the comment, asserting that it “does not reflect the views of President Trump or the campaign.” Trump further claimed he did not know the comedian, Tony Hinchcliffe, despite Hinchcliffe performing at the event.
The former president’s comments have ignited a wave of criticism from various quarters, including Democrats, Republicans, and celebrities with Puerto Rican roots. Many have taken this opportunity to rally support for Kamala Harris.
