In a recent gathering of Christian conservatives in Washington, former President Donald Trump suggested the idea of a “migrant league of fighters” to UFC President Dana White. Trump stated, “I said, ‘Dana, I have an idea: Why don’t you set up a migrant league of fighters and have your regular league of fighters. And then you have the champion of your league — these are the greatest fighters in the world — fight the champion of the migrants. I think the migrants’ guy might win, that’s how tough they are.’” He further commented, “He didn’t like that idea too much, but actually, it’s not the worst idea I’ve ever had.”
Trump reiterated these comments at a campaign rally in Philadelphia later in the day. President Joe Biden’s campaign quickly denounced the remarks, with spokesperson Sarafina Chitika stating, “Trump’s incoherent, unhinged tirade showed voters in his own words that he is a threat to our freedoms and is too dangerous to be let anywhere near the White House again.”
Throughout his presidency and reelection campaign, Trump has consistently used dehumanizing and inflammatory language when discussing immigrants, particularly those crossing the US-Mexico border. He has referred to some undocumented migrants as “not people” and labeled others who commit violent crimes as “not humans” but rather “animals.”
The former president has also made unsubstantiated claims about other countries sending “prisoners, murderers, drug dealers, mental patients, and terrorists” to the US. He has vowed to carry out the “largest domestic deportation operation in American history” if reelected in 2024 to address what he perceives as an “invasion of our country.”
Trump’s rhetoric has drawn comparisons to White supremacists and nativists, with the Biden campaign linking his comments to Adolf Hitler’s writings about “contamination of the blood” in “Mein Kampf.” Supporters at Trump’s campaign rallies have highlighted violent crimes committed by undocumented immigrants, criticizing Biden’s approach to border security.
During his presidency, Trump implemented various measures to curb both illegal and legal immigration, including restrictions on visa programs and refugee resettlements. He also enacted a temporary travel ban on seven Muslim-majority countries. This story will be updated with any further developments.
