Trump Campaign Draws Backlash for Disparaging Immigrants in Post

Former President Donald Trump’s campaign has come under fire following a controversial post on Tuesday. The post featured two contrasting images accompanied by the message, “Import the third world. Become the third world.”

On the left, the image titled “Your neighborhood under Trump” depicts a pristine neighborhood with an American flag displayed, notably devoid of people. Conversely, the right image, labeled “Your neighborhood under Kamala,” showcases a cropped version of a Getty Images photo featuring migrants gathered outside the Roosevelt Hotel in New York City from August 2023.

The photo predominantly highlights individuals of color, with the Getty Images caption identifying them as recent migrants seeking temporary housing. Many critics have responded to the post by accusing the Trump campaign of perpetuating racial hostility and fostering anti-immigrant sentiments.

The NAACP weighed in on the matter via their social media account, stating, “Don’t just take our word for it. They are showing all of us just how racist they are. This is what’s on the ballot this November.”

Bill Burton, a former deputy press secretary under President Barack Obama, added, “Well, didn’t take too long for the Trump campaign to get to the openly racist part of their effort.”

In defense of the post, the Trump campaign argued that it highlights the difference between Trump’s and Vice President Kamala Harris’ immigration policies. Karoline Leavitt, the campaign’s national press secretary, stated, “President Trump puts Americans first and secured our border. Kamala Harris has opened our border to millions of illegal immigrants from all over the world and has forced struggling taxpayers to pay for their free entry into the country.”

Additionally, former Trump campaign adviser Bryan Lanza defended the post during a CNN interview, claiming that race was not a factor and that Republicans do not view people through the lens of skin color. Republican commentator Tricia McLaughlin supported Lanza’s stance, asserting that the image depicts chaos rather than racism.

Throughout his campaign, Trump has often utilized disparaging rhetoric regarding undocumented immigrants, labeling them as criminals and insinuating negative traits. He has referred to them with racially charged language, characterizing them as “animals” or “poisoning the blood of our country.”

The Trump campaign has previously employed similar imagery and language in campaign advertisements, accusing Vice President Harris of prioritizing “illegals” over American citizens. They highlight various incidents involving migrant crime, promoting their “America-first agenda” and pledging mass deportation on the first day of Trump’s potential second presidency.

Interestingly, Trump continues to assert that Harris was designated as “border czar,” a role she never officially held. Instead, her responsibilities involved leading diplomatic initiatives aimed at addressing the underlying causes of migration from Central America, particularly in nations such as El Salvador, Guatemala, and Honduras. Biden had previously undertaken a similar role during his time as vice president.

Senator JD Vance, Trump’s running mate, criticized Harris on social media, stating, “Kamala Harris has pursued a policy of allowing large numbers of unvetted migrants into our country. It has led to predictable and extremely tragic results.”

In a conversation with Elon Musk on Monday, Trump claimed that the migrant crisis had “overwhelmed” New York City. He repeatedly asserted sweeping generalizations about undocumented immigrants, describing them as “non-productive” individuals, despite Musk’s insistence that they are likely “good, hard-working people.”

The Republican National Convention last month also saw Trump emphasizing his rigid stance on immigration, with attendees displaying signs advocating for “Mass Deportations Now.”

The ongoing discourse surrounding immigration, intensified by Trump’s rhetoric and campaign strategies, continues to attract significant attention as the 2024 election approaches.

Source: ABC News