ADVERTISEMENT

Trump pushes economic hope, immigrant fear in election final run

Democrats are forecast to capture the House of Representatives in Tuesday's midterm elections, threatening Trump with the specter of an opposition finally able to block policies and dig into his highly opaque personal finances.

But the president, who has brought an unprecedented brand of populism and confrontational politics to the White House, clearly enjoys a fight.

He was flying Friday to host rallies in West Virginia and Indiana, less than 24 hours after returning from another speech in Missouri. The day before it was Florida.

The frantic pace of Air Force One trips around the country will continue right through Monday.

ADVERTISEMENT

And positive job figures out Friday gave Trump a golden opportunity to crow over what he near daily claims to be the world's "hottest economy."

"Wow! The U.S. added 250,000 Jobs in October - and this was despite the hurricanes," Trump heralded in a typically high-energy tweet. "Unemployment at 3.7%. Wages UP! These are incredible numbers. Keep it going, Vote Republican!"

Equally good news for Trump and his bid to spread that elusive voter feelgood factor was that wages appear to be strengthening -- a sign that regular people may be enjoying the fruits of economic growth.

Scorched earth

But if on one hand the president touts the United States as a land of plenty, with jobs for all, on the other he's doing everything possible to stir fear and loathing.

ADVERTISEMENT

Even as illegal immigration dips to a quarter of what it was in 2000, Trump claims that the country faces literally "an invasion" of Central Americans.

He has ordered regular army troops to the US-Mexican border, announced "tent cities" for detention of people demanding political asylum, and claimed power to scrap the right to citizenship for anyone born on US soil -- a right until now considered to be protected by the constitution.

Referring to a group of a few thousand impoverished Central Americans currently trying to walk to the United States through Mexico, Trump says the nation could be "overwhelmed."

On Thursday, he said at the White House that soldiers would shoot migrants if they throw stones.

A few hours later at the Missouri rally, he painted the bizarre scenario of a dictator "who we hate and who's against us" coming to the United States with his wife to "have a baby on American soil."

ADVERTISEMENT

Perhaps topping all his other efforts, Trump this week tweeted a campaign ad starring a clip of a real-life illegal immigrant named Luis Bracamontes who killed two sheriff's deputies in California in 2014, then laughingly bragged about the murders in court.

The ad, seeking to underline Trump's repeated argument that the Democrats will encourage hardened criminals into the country, says Democrats let in Bracamontes and "Democrats let him stay."

The Sacramento Bee newspaper in California reported, however, that records show the cop killer was deported before sneaking back into the country -- under Republican President George W. Bush.

Enhance Your Pulse News Experience!

Get rewards worth up to $20 when selected to participate in our exclusive focus group. Your input will help us to make informed decisions that align with your needs and preferences.

I've got feedback!

JOIN OUR PULSE COMMUNITY!

Unblock notifications in browser settings.
ADVERTISEMENT

Eyewitness? Submit your stories now via social or:

Email: eyewitness@pulse.ng

Recommended articles

Forgive me my papa - Self-acclaimed Hausa traditional ruler kneels to beg Oba of Benin

Forgive me my papa - Self-acclaimed Hausa traditional ruler kneels to beg Oba of Benin

Fubara grows Rivers IGR by over 100%, less than 1 year after Wike's tenure

Fubara grows Rivers IGR by over 100%, less than 1 year after Wike's tenure

Plateau University suspends exams over killing of student

Plateau University suspends exams over killing of student

Nigeria laughing stock of the rest of the world due to insecurity - TY Danjuma

Nigeria laughing stock of the rest of the world due to insecurity - TY Danjuma

APC group claims Tinubu’s initiatives stimulating economic recovery

APC group claims Tinubu’s initiatives stimulating economic recovery

Plateau Gov urges calm after attack that led to death of 200-level PLASU student

Plateau Gov urges calm after attack that led to death of 200-level PLASU student

NAFDAC reopens popular Ibadan supermarket shut for selling unregistered product

NAFDAC reopens popular Ibadan supermarket shut for selling unregistered product

Gov Adeleke lavished with praise for providing water, sanitation facilities

Gov Adeleke lavished with praise for providing water, sanitation facilities

CSO inaugurates campaign to combat electoral irregularities, promote reforms

CSO inaugurates campaign to combat electoral irregularities, promote reforms

Pulse Sports

Lionel Messi's son breaks the internet after scoring five goals for Inter Miami

Lionel Messi's son breaks the internet after scoring five goals for Inter Miami

Naija Stars Abroad: Onyedika, Boniface, and Osimhen shine across Europe

Naija Stars Abroad: Onyedika, Boniface, and Osimhen shine across Europe

Victor Osimhen and Tobi Amusan make list of Forbes’ 30 under 30 Class of 2024

Victor Osimhen and Tobi Amusan make list of Forbes’ 30 under 30 Class of 2024

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT