23 OCTOBER 2020
As Public Sentiment Turns Against the President’s Immigration Policies, Trump Continues Attempts to Scare Swing Voters with “Radical Left” and Anti-Immigrant Messaging
NEW TRACKING: On Facebook from 9/26 to 10/17, 20% of Trump’s Attack Ads Against Biden Include Anti-Immigrant Messaging; More on Trump’s Strategy in New Immigration Hub Op-Ed
WASHINGTON, D.C.— Last night’s debate demonstrated President Trump’s attempt to take little responsibility for the cruelty inflicted by his immigration policies, including his notorious and cruel family separation policy. Majority of Americans have consistently disapproved of the Trump administration’s approach to immigration -- a backlash that has increased support for pro-immigration solutions such as citizenship for Dreamers and the 11 million undocumented immigrants in the country. Despite the growing sentiment, Trump and his campaign have merely tweaked their electoral strategy, using fear-based messaging to scare swing voters against the “radical left” and immigrants. New tracking from the Immigration Hub reveals that the Trump campaign and Republican operatives continue to target Pennsylvania, Michigan and other battleground states with anti-immigrant ads on Facebook and other platforms.
Starting in October, several outside groups - including designated hate groups NumbersUSA and FAIR - deployed their own digital campaign to attack immigrants in support of Trump’s reelection efforts in swing states. While Trump’s ad strategy attacks Vice President Joe Biden for his support of immigrants, President Trump refused to answer for his own cruel and racist immigration policies when confronted last night during the final presidential debate. Trump spent $9 million deploying anti-immigration ads on television, making the issue Trump’s second highest expense behind his spending on the issue of China.
“President Trump’s signature issue over the last four years has been immigration,” stated Tyler Moran, Executive Director of the Immigration Hub. “His policies, rally chants and ad strategy have all relied on weaponizing immigration. But this year it is falling flat. More and more, voters are supporting the Democratic vision for immigration reform, grounded in our values. Trump’s re-election campaign has implemented a bifurcated strategy to serve up xenophobia to his base and target suburban voters with ‘law and order’ dog whistles against immigrants and communities of color. It’s clear that Trump isn’t loosening his grip on immigration, but rather desperately grasping at straws to reach a bloc of voters who oppose his record on the issue and reject his vision of America.”
The Trump campaign continues to run their own anti-immigrant ads, keeping steady with prior tracking reports. The ad spend does not include the major expenditures on other platforms (i.e. Youtube, streaming and broadcast TV) and the over $7 million spent on Facebook ads from September 26 to October 17 against Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden that combine anti-immigrant attacks with “law and order” messaging and wild claims against the “radical left” (i.e. new Trump campaign ad “The Real Biden Plan”). According to tracking by the Hub, ads with anti-immigrant rhetoric make up 20% of the $7 million worth of attack ads against Biden between September 26 to October 17.
The Hub’s analysis shows that:
Trump ran 12 ads with anti-immigration rhetoric since the end of September.
Trump has also spent $9 million deploying anti-immigration ads on television.
Previously tested ads are being posted for up to $300,000 each.
Trump’s non-immigration ads promote early and mail-in voting as well as the first new rallies since he tested positive for the coronavirus.
Outside groups are blanketing battleground states with anti-immigrant ads including, One Nation, Common Sense Voters of America, FAIR and NumbersUSA.
One Nation is targeting Michigan voters with attacks on Senator Gary Peters about sanctuary cities.
Congressional candidate Jim Bognet (PA-08) released a new campaign ad attacking Congressman Matt Cartwright for supporting the Dream and Promise Act.
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The Immigration Hub is a national organization dedicated to advancing fair and just immigration policies through strategic leadership, innovative communications strategies, legislative advocacy and collaborative partnerships.