Trump looks to upstage the GOP debate with a rally targeting South Florida’s Cuban community

Former President Donald Trump continued his campaign of debate counterprogramming with a rally in South Florida, strategically located just a short drive away from the location of the third debate among his rivals vying for the 2024 Republican presidential nomination. Trump’s objective with this event was clear: to overshadow the other candidates, a tactic he has employed in previous GOP debates. While he attributed his decision to skip the debate stage to his commanding lead in the polls, he also used these simultaneous events to draw attention to himself.

During the rally, Trump made reference to the debate taking place elsewhere, asserting that nobody was watching it. He then drew a comparison between his rally and the debate, highlighting the substantial challenge of speaking in front of tens of thousands of people while it was televised, especially considering the stadium’s capacity was approximately 5,200 people.

This rally also served as an opportunity for Trump to demonstrate his support among Latino voters in Hialeah, a Miami suburb with a significant Cuban American population where Trump remains popular. In fact, a City Council candidate in the area had even used Trump’s image on campaign signs.

The former President was introduced by his former White House press secretary, Arkansas Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders, who endorsed him at a previous event. Trump’s speech was tailored to resonate with the predominantly Cuban American audience, and he criticized President Joe Biden’s foreign policy, particularly regarding Cuba, while asserting that he and his supporters were the ones safeguarding American democracy.

Trump also made statements about Catholic and Christian voters, suggesting that those who voted for Democrats were making unwise choices, although he did not mention that President Biden himself is Catholic.

Despite some supporters camping out in advance and waving to passing commuters, sections of the outdoor football stadium remained empty during the rally. Trump was joined by notable figures such as mixed martial arts fighter Jorge Masvidal and comedian Roseanne Barr.

Cuban American voters in the region have played a significant role in delivering victories for Trump and other Republicans in recent elections, contributing to Florida’s transformation from a traditional swing state to a more conservative one. Democrats, aiming to regain Latino voters who turned away in the 2020 election, are working to appeal to this demographic.

Trump’s campaign is using events like this rally to showcase his strength heading into the 2024 election and to emphasize the perceived irrelevance of the five candidates participating in the debate in Miami. The campaign also plans to target Hispanic voters through TV and radio ads, as well as targeted mail, with a focus on key issues such as the economy, immigration, and cultural matters.

While Democrats continue to enjoy strong support among Latino voters, both parties recognize the importance of reaching out to this diverse and influential demographic in future elections.

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More about Trump’s Rally

• Donald Trump’s Rally Targets South Florida’s Cuban Community
• 2024 Republican Presidential Nomination
• Arkansas Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders Endorses Trump
• President Joe Biden’s Foreign Policy
• Cuban American Voters in South Florida
• 2020 Election Results in Florida
• Hispanic Voters in U.S. Elections
• Trump’s Strategy for Hispanic Voters in 2024
• Republican Party’s Influence and Trump’s Standing