Donald Trump recently found himself at the center of controversy for his comments about some immigrants, referring to them as “not people” but “animals.” In response to the backlash, the former president stood by his remarks. He argued that his choice of words was deliberate, aiming to spark discussion on the topic.
Trump explained in a pre-recorded interview with Howard Kurtz on Fox News that his use of provocative language was necessary. He believed that without such strong words, important issues would not get the attention they deserve. According to Trump, this approach was effective in generating debate.
In the interview, Kurtz brought up Trump’s previous statement where he claimed that migrants entering the country illegally were “poisoning the blood” of the nation. This comparison drew parallels to rhetoric used by historical figures like Adolf Hitler and Benito Mussolini. Trump, seemingly unaware of this connection, simply responded, “I didn’t know that,” but reiterated his stance that the country is being adversely affected.
Trump continued to defend his position, insisting that his warnings about “migrant crime” were justified, despite a lack of evidence to support these claims. In fact, a 2020 study published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences found that U.S. citizens commit crimes at higher rates than unauthorized immigrants.
Throughout the 2024 election cycle, Trump has frequently employed derogatory language when discussing immigrants who enter the U.S. illegally. He has focused a significant portion of his campaign on border security and immigration issues, claiming that immigrants are taking jobs from Americans and attributing the death of Georgia nursing student Laken Riley to an undocumented immigrant.
During a recent campaign rally in Ohio for Senate candidate Bernie Moreno, Trump shifted the event’s focus to issue dire warnings about the consequences of his potential loss in the 2024 election. He criticized the electric vehicle industry for manufacturing cars outside the U.S. and threatened to impose a 100% tariff on imported cars if elected.
Trump’s campaign has clarified that his comments about a “bloodbath” should he lose the election were not about violence across the country but rather about the potential downfall of the auto industry. However, President Biden’s campaign highlighted Trump’s remarks as indicative of his admiration for authoritarian leaders.
At the same rally, Trump made unfounded claims about other countries releasing criminals to migrate to the U.S. and dismissed criticisms of his rhetoric as lacking humanity.
In addition to discussing immigration, Trump also spoke about his recent decision to not push for a ban on TikTok after meeting with billionaire GOP donor Jeff Yass, who has a financial interest in TikTok’s parent company. Trump claimed he was unaware of Yass’s stake in the company and had not discussed potential legislation that could lead to TikTok’s ban.
Furthermore, Trump expressed reluctance to blame Russian President Vladimir Putin for the death of opposition leader Alexei Navalny, suggesting Putin “probably” had a role but emphasizing uncertainty.
Regarding abortion, Trump hinted at supporting a nationwide restriction but emphasized finding a middle ground that would satisfy both sides of the debate. He praised the Supreme Court’s decision to overturn Roe v. Wade and noted that abortion access has been a significant issue in recent elections.
Trump mentioned that he would soon make a recommendation on abortion policy, reiterating his support for exceptions in cases of rape, incest, and when the mother’s life is at risk.