Former President Donald Trump has reportedly launched into a profanity-laden tirade against immigrants during a private fundraising dinner with a group of wealthy donors this summer. A 12-minute recording of Trump’s speech, reviewed by The Guardian, captured him making false claims about immigrants being sent to the United States from other countries and using derogatory language to describe them.
During the fundraiser in Aspen, Colorado, Trump claimed that individuals from the Democratic Republic of the Congo – including purported prisoners and individuals in mental institutions – were being released and sent to the United States. He went on to inaccurately state that 22 people from Congolese prisons had been released and were uncooperative about disclosing their past criminal activities.
It was reported that attendees at the fundraiser, which included investment executives and billionaires, had to pay between $25,000 to $500,000 per couple to be present. Among the hosts were Andrew McKenna Jr., the son of former McDonald’s chair Andrew McKenna, and Duke Buchan III, the CEO of Hunter Global Investors and former Republican National Committee finance chair.
Trump’s anti-immigration rhetoric has been a consistent theme in his political campaigns, where he often exaggerates claims about immigrants from Central and South America being involved in criminal activities. Despite his assertions, studies have shown that immigrants are less likely to commit violent crimes compared to native-born Americans, and the number of border crossings has decreased since 2019.
In response to the recording and Trump’s remarks, a spokesperson for the government of the Democratic Republic of the Congo stated that the claims made by the former president were unsubstantiated and untrue. The Independent approached the Trump campaign for comment on the matter but did not receive a response.
Trump’s controversial statements at the private donors’ dinner have reignited debates about his immigration policies and the language he uses when discussing immigrants. Critics argue that such rhetoric demonizes immigrant communities and perpetuates harmful stereotypes.
Despite differing reports from attendees – with some describing Trump as ‘funny’ and ‘disciplined’ while others found his speech ‘boring’ – the leaked recording has once again brought attention to the divisive and inflammatory language often employed by the former president on immigration issues. The incident underscores the ongoing debate surrounding immigration reform and the treatment of migrants in the United States.