They are finally facing off.
Competing narratives on immigration have become a focal point for both the Biden campaign and a pro-Trump super PAC, setting the stage for a contentious debate that could influence voter turnout come November.
President Joe Biden’s campaign released a 30-second ad that primarily targets Latino Americans while also taking aim at former President Donald Trump and his inflammatory rhetoric. Biden’s voice confronts Trump’s statements, notably questioning his remarks about immigrants allegedly “poisoning the blood of our country.” This ad, the campaign’s second Latino-focused spot this week, will be broadcast on digital platforms in English and Spanish across key battleground states. According to Maca Casado, the Hispanic media director for the Biden campaign, the goal is to expose what they perceive as Trump’s “anti-Latino, anti-immigrant, and anti-American” sentiments.
In response, MAGA Inc., a pro-Trump super PAC, unveiled a 15-second ad contrasting Biden’s stance on the border wall with images of migrants breaching a border fence. The ad underscores Biden’s pledge against further wall construction and accuses him of causing “daily chaos at the border.” MAGA Inc. spokesperson Alex Pfeiffer blames Biden for reversing Trump’s immigration policies, claiming they were effective in curbing illegal immigration.
These dueling ads reflect the significance of immigration as a pivotal issue for both campaigns. A Gallup survey in February revealed that about 28% of Americans consider immigration the most pressing problem facing the nation. Trump maintains a substantial lead over Biden regarding perceptions of who would better secure the border and manage immigration, according to an NBC News poll conducted in January. However, Biden holds a significant advantage over Trump in terms of perceived humane treatment of immigrants and protection of their rights.
The Biden campaign has consistently criticized Trump’s rhetoric on migrants, including his likening of them to the character Hannibal Lecter from “The Silence of the Lambs.” Biden’s ad also features a clip from Trump’s 2015 presidential announcement, where he made disparaging remarks about Mexican migrants.
This clash over immigration is not a new occurrence. Last month, both candidates visited the southern border simultaneously, engaging in a split-screen moment. During this event, Biden urged Trump to support a bipartisan border bill, while Trump denounced the situation as a “Joe Biden invasion.”
As the campaigns intensify their efforts, immigration remains a divisive issue that could sway voters on Election Day. The competing narratives presented in these ads offer contrasting perspectives, leaving voters to decipher the truth amid the political rhetoric.
