At a lively rally in Ohio on Saturday night, former President Trump made controversial remarks about some undocumented immigrants, referring to them as “not people” and suggesting a “bloodbath” if he doesn’t win reelection.
The event took place in a suburb of Dayton, Ohio, where Trump was supporting Senate candidate Bernie Moreno. Moreno is in a close primary race against state Sen. Matt Dolan and Secretary of State Frank LaRose, which is set to conclude on Tuesday.
Trump’s statements on migrants accused of crimes come at a time when immigration is a hot topic for the 2024 election.
At the rally, he expressed his views on certain migrants by saying, “I don’t know if you call them people. In some cases, they’re not people, in my opinion. But I’m not allowed to say that because the radical left says that’s a terrible thing to say.”
He also warned of severe consequences for the country if he loses the upcoming election, attributing potential economic downfall to Biden’s leadership.
The Biden campaign has strongly criticized Trump’s remarks, labeling them as “threats of political violence.”
A spokesman for the Biden campaign, James Singer, stated, “He wants another January 6, but the American people are going to give him another electoral defeat this November because they continue to reject his extremism, his affection for violence, and his thirst for revenge.”
Trump’s recent comments are part of an ongoing pattern of harsh rhetoric against immigrants, which began with his 2016 presidential campaign. His language has drawn criticism and comparisons to historical figures, which Trump has refuted.
The race for the Ohio Senate nomination is closely contested, with recent polls showing either Moreno or Dolan in the lead.
Trump has endorsed Moreno, who also has the support of Trump’s allies. On the other hand, Dolan is supported by more moderate political figures in Ohio, including Gov. Mike DeWine and former Sen. Rob Portman.
Polls for the general election indicate Dolan might be a stronger candidate against Sen. Sherrod Brown, a Democrat in a key seat that the Democrats are keen to retain to maintain their slim Senate majority.