Former President Donald Trump recently spoke at a multimillion-dollar fund-raiser where he made controversial comments about immigrants and neighboring countries like Denmark. The event took place at a mansion in Palm Beach, Florida, owned by billionaire financier John Paulson. Guests of the dinner, which helped raise more than $50 million for the Trump campaign and the Republican National Committee, were treated to a speech where Trump discussed immigration at length, including negative remarks about migrants entering the U.S.
During his speech, Trump claimed that migrants were coming from “prisons and jails” and from countries that are “a disaster.” He also made comments referencing a previous controversial moment in which he referred to Haiti and African nations as “shithole countries.” Trump went on to express his preference for migrants from “nice countries” like Denmark, Switzerland, and Norway, implying that immigrants from other nations were undesirable. His comments sparked laughter among the crowd in attendance.
Trump’s speech also touched on the surge of migrants from Latin America, with the former president making disparaging remarks about gang members and criminals entering the country. He claimed that these individuals made groups like the Hell’s Angels seem pleasant in comparison, and warned that they could potentially come to the wealthy island where the event was hosted. Trump blamed President Joe Biden for the influx of migrants, criticizing his administration’s decisions and mocking him for using the Resolute Desk.
The former president highlighted his record on tax cuts and regulations that benefited wealthy individuals in the audience, appealing to their financial interests. He engaged with attendees by asking about their preferences between tax cuts and regulatory measures, recognizing them as the most successful people in the country. Trump ended his remarks on a somber note, suggesting that the upcoming election could be the last for the country and emphasizing the importance of the event in comparison to Independence Day.
The event at John Paulson’s estate highlighted the stark contrast between the affluent town of Palm Beach and the more diverse neighboring city of West Palm Beach. Trump’s comments on immigration and neighboring countries stirred controversy, with some interpreting his remarks as derogatory and insensitive. Despite the strong fundraising efforts at the event, Trump’s divisive rhetoric and apocalyptic outlook on America’s future continue to polarize opinions and raise concerns about the tone of political discourse in the country.
