In a fiery exchange on MSNBC, NPR host Maria Hinojosa made the explosive claim that Hispanic voters backing Donald Trump over Kamala Harris "want to be white" — a controversial remark that highlights growing concerns about the vice president's slipping support among a key voting bloc ahead of November's election.
In a striking and controversial statement aired on MSNBC, NPR host Maria Hinojosa suggested that Hispanic voters supporting former President Donald Trump over Vice President Kamala Harris do so because they "want to be white." Hinojosa's remarks, made during a Sunday interview with MSNBC's Jonathan Capehart, touched on the complicated dynamics shaping Hispanic voter sentiment ahead of the November election, a key factor as Harris faces a tight race against Trump.
As Trump continues to gain ground with Hispanic voters, particularly around issues like immigration and the economy, Hinojosa questioned the rationale behind the support. Many Latinos, she said, see Trump as a successful businessman, though she dismissed this view, noting, "No, he’s not. He had bankruptcies." Still, Trump's messaging has resonated with segments of the Hispanic electorate, some of whom Hinojosa claims are distancing themselves from other immigrant groups criticized by Trump, including Mexican immigrants like herself.
"They don’t want to be identified with all of those other immigrants that Donald Trump speaks so badly of," Hinojosa said, cautioning that this shift in voter sentiment could be a major liability for Harris heading into November. "These are the numbers that could also take her down."
Polling data underscores Hinojosa's concerns. In a recent Fox News poll of likely voters in Arizona, Trump leads Harris 51% to 48%, with his growing strength among Hispanic voters playing a significant role. National polling tells a slightly different story, with Harris maintaining a slim 2% lead over Trump, according to the RealClearPolling average. However, third-party candidates like Dr. Jill Stein, Cornel West, and Chase Oliver could complicate the race.
Trump’s Hispanic support builds on gains made before President Joe Biden announced he would not seek reelection, with Harris later taking his place as the Democrat presidential nominee. Despite a bump in support for Harris among some Hispanic voters after this change, Trump's economic messaging and promises of stricter immigration policies have continued to draw interest.
Further fueling tensions, Hinojosa pointed to Trump's amplification of unverified reports about Haitian immigrants stealing and consuming pets in Springfield, Ohio, a topic raised both on social media and during the Sept. 10 presidential debate. The issue, which remains controversial, reflects broader concerns about how immigration and related issues are playing out in communities, particularly those struggling to accommodate large numbers of new arrivals. Springfield residents have reported increases in traffic accidents and rising housing costs as they adapt to the influx of migrants, estimated at around 20,000.
As the election nears, the battle for Hispanic voters remains a critical front in what promises to be a contentious race. Hinojosa’s remarks, while inflammatory, may signal deeper anxieties among Democrats, who are grappling with the reality that traditional voting blocs may no longer be a reliable source of support.
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