Former President Donald Trump recently held a significant rally in the South Bronx, New York, marking his first event in a predominantly Democratic neighborhood in nearly eight years. According to the BBC, Trump used the occasion to appeal to Black and Latino voters ahead of the November presidential election, proclaiming, “We inspired the entire world.” However, his efforts were met with mixed reactions and notable criticism.
Ana Navarro, co-host of The View, voiced strong disapproval of Latino support for Trump, labeling it a ‘very stupid attitude’. She criticized some Latino immigrants for distancing themselves from their heritage in an attempt to assimilate, as reported by Fox News. Navarro highlighted the dangers of anti-immigrant sentiment by referencing the tragic 2019 El Paso, Texas mass shooting, where a gunman targeted Hispanics.
She argued that such violent acts are not concerned with nuances of an individual’s background but are driven by blind prejudice. Meanwhile, Trump’s campaign claimed the rally attracted more than 25,000 attendees, although estimates suggest the number was closer to 8,000-10,000. The event drew national attention as many Black and Latino Americans expressed their concerns about issues like violence, inflation, and illegal immigration under President Joe Biden’s administration.
CNN host Jim Acosta brought up Trump’s controversial rhetoric about immigrants in a discussion with Navarro. He noted that despite the divisive language, Trump is polling better among Latinos and African Americans, posing a potential challenge to Biden’s re-election campaign. Navarro responded by suggesting that some voters overlook the inflammatory comments, viewing them as part of Trump’s “clown act entertainment” rather than serious political discourse.
During the rally, Trump criticized Biden’s handling of immigration, arguing that it has disproportionately harmed Black and Hispanic Americans by impacting jobs, housing, and other areas. “The biggest negative impact [of illegal immigration] is against our black population and our Hispanic population, who are losing their jobs, losing their housing, losing everything they can lose,” Trump declared.
He concluded his speech with a promise to revitalize New York City, stating, “I’m here tonight to declare we are going to turn New York City around, and we will turn it around very quickly…We are going to make New York bigger, better, and greater than ever” As per Fox News,
Despite the fervent rally, Trump historically received less than 10% of the vote in the Bronx during the 2016 election. In 2020, Biden secured 83.5% of the votes there. However, recent polls suggest a significant increase in Trump’s support in the area, signaling shifting dynamics as the next election approaches.