Trump says he still backs Salazar after video criticizing him on immigration
President Trump said he continues to back Rep. Maria Elvira Salazar (R-Fla.) despite disagreeing with her on immigration, one day after her campaign released an ad criticizing his policy stance. When asked about the video, Trump told reporters that Salazar "doesn’t have a very strong feeling about the border," while asserting that he does.
Why It Matters
The exchange highlights a rift within the GOP over immigration policy that surfaced publicly when a sitting lawmaker's campaign aired an ad critical of the president. How prominent Republicans navigate disagreements with Trump could influence intraparty dynamics and messaging ahead of upcoming elections.
Key Facts
- People involved: President Donald Trump; Rep. Maria Elvira Salazar (R-Fla.)
- Event: Salazar's campaign released an ad criticizing the president on immigration
- President's response timing: Trump commented one day after the campaign released the ad
- Quote: "She obviously doesn’t have a very strong feeling about the border. I do," Trump said to reporters about the video
President Donald Trump said he remains supportive of Rep. Maria Elvira Salazar (R-Fla.) even as he expressed disagreement with her stance on immigration. His remarks came a day after Salazar's campaign published an advertisement that criticized the president on the issue. When reporters asked about the video, Trump said that Salazar "doesn’t have a very strong feeling about the border," and added that he does. He framed the difference as a policy disagreement while reaffirming his overall backing of the congresswoman. The exchange publicly surfaced a policy split between the president and a Republican lawmaker, following the campaign's decision to run an ad taking aim at Trump's approach to immigration. Beyond Trump's quoted comment and the timing relative to the ad's release, the campaign's specific criticisms and Salazar's response were not detailed in the report. Trump's statement came in response to questions from reporters; the interaction underscores tensions that can emerge when members of the same party openly dispute high-profile policy positions.
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