On Wednesday, President Donald Trump hosted a gathering at the White House in honor of Hispanic Heritage Month, where he praised the Latino community, highlighted his electoral gains among these voters, and emphasized that his connection with them extends back to well before his entry into politics.
"It might not be wise to generalize, but I will anyway: they are hardworking, incredibly intelligent, and full of energy. Sometimes, a bit too much energy," Trump remarked to those gathered in the East Room, as recorded live by C-SPAN.
The President also proudly pointed to his 2024 electoral performance in Hispanic communities, especially along the Texas-Mexico border.
"I won in every Hispanic city. They told me, 'You won everywhere along the border with Mexico, absolutely everywhere.' That had never happened before. No one had ever achieved that," he declared.
While the 2024 results did show significant progress for Trump in the Texas border region, they did not indicate a sweep of all border territories.
According to a Washington Post analysis, the Republican secured victories in 12 of the 14 Texas counties that directly border Mexico. Notably, in Starr County, where the population is about 97% Latino, he became the first Republican presidential candidate to win since 1892.
Trump's Personal Connection with Hispanics
During the event, Trump expressed a personal affinity for the Hispanic community.
"I've loved them from the beginning. I had a deep appreciation for them years before I entered politics," he stated.
The reception featured Secretary of State Marco Rubio, a Cuban immigrant's son and a key figure in the administration's Latin America policy.
Trump introduced Rubio as "the highest-ranking Hispanic-American in our nation's history" and praised his role in the administration's approach to Havana, echoing similar commendations made in recent weeks.
"Look at what he's doing with Cuba. Look at what he's doing with Cuba," Trump noted, describing Rubio as a "master" in dealing with foreign leaders. Earlier that day, Trump had also lauded Rubio's efforts regarding Cuba.
Rubio then addressed the audience, reaffirming the American identity of the Hispanic community: "Hispanic-Americans are Americans, and we love this country."
Border Security and the Latino Vote
Trump also defended his border security policies to those present.
"I'm building a wall to keep bad people out. And you want those bad people out more than anyone," he asserted.
His remarks come just weeks before the November midterm elections, where Latino voter behavior is again under scrutiny.
In 2024, Trump made notable gains among these voters. In Texas, exit polls credited him with 55% of the Latino vote, compared to Kamala Harris's 44%. He also won all four counties in the Rio Grande Valley, a predominantly Hispanic area where Republicans have historically struggled.
However, a Hart Research poll for TelevisaUnivision, reported by Axios on September 8, painted a different picture among 1,500 registered Latino voters in 17 competitive House districts: 63% disapproved of Trump's job performance, while 36% approved. Looking ahead to the midterms, Democratic candidates held a significant lead over Republicans among these voters, 58% to 35%.
The same study found Republican setbacks compared to 2024 in several of these districts. For instance, in two competitive Florida districts, respondents had shifted from a retrospective one-point Trump advantage in the presidential race to a 13-point lead for Democratic congressional candidates.
During the reception, Trump acknowledged challenges in communicating his economic record. "I've done a very poor job of explaining my economic track record," he admitted, though he defended the country's condition.
In an official presidential message released on September 17, Trump had already stated that Hispanic-Americans make the nation "stronger, more prosperous, and prouder with each passing generation."
Questions About Trump's Relationship with the Hispanic Community
How did Trump perform among Hispanic voters in 2024?
In 2024, Trump made significant gains among Hispanic voters, particularly in Texas, where he secured 55% of the Latino vote according to exit polls.
What role did Marco Rubio play in Trump's administration?
Marco Rubio, as the Secretary of State, was a key figure in shaping the administration's policy towards Latin America, particularly Cuba, and was praised by Trump for his diplomatic skills.