Donald Trump’s 2024 presidential campaign has been characterized by a series of controversial statements, with immigration remaining one of his key focal points. As he continues to push for policies that appeal to his conservative base, Trump has doubled down on his views regarding migrants entering the US, often stoking fears about border security.
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He recently made a dark and bizarre remark in one of his rallies as a suggestion for ending violence in the States - something he often links to immigrants. Previously, he claimed that immigrants were ‘eating pets’ - a claim that has since been debunked.
While his core supporters stand by his remarks, Trump's latest comments about immigrants and the genetic makeup of murderers have triggered significant backlash.
Donald Trump’s disturbing comment on Immigrants
During an interview with radio host Hugh Hewitt, Trump made remarks about immigrants who have committed murder, claiming that they have ‘bad genes,’ reports Newsweek. A claim that many media have picked up and broadcasted for the world to read.
Trump specifically referenced data from US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), stating that a significant number of migrants entering the country have committed violent crimes.
According to Trump, around 13,000 individuals who have come to the US have been convicted of homicide. Trump told Hewitt:
When you look at the things [Harris] proposes, they're so far off. She has no clue. How about allowing people to come through an open border?
Thirteen thousand of which were murderers. Many of them murdered more than one person, and they're now happily living in America right now.
Adding the most problematic statement:
Now, a murderer, I believe this; it's in their genes. And we've got a lot of bad genes in this country right now.
Trump has made similar statements before, previously claiming that immigrants are ‘poisoning the blood’ of the country, a phrase that drew comparisons to eugenics rhetoric, reports Aljazeera.
Trump has frequently used the term ‘immigrant crimes’ to stand behind his policies. However, studies have indicated that immigrants have a lower rate of committing crimes than US citizens.
White House spokesperson Karine Jean-Pierre condemned Trump’s remarks and said:
That type of language is hateful, it's disgusting, it's inappropriate and it has no place in our country.
Trump’s remarks have not been well-received by many people while his supporters have argued for him.
Donald Trump’s team issues clarification of his remark
In the wake of the backlash, Trump's campaign team attempted to clarify the former president's remarks. His spokesperson explained that Trump’s reference to ‘bad genes’ was not meant to apply to all immigrants, but specifically to those who have committed violent crimes, reports Reuters.
In a statement, Trump campaign press secretary Karoline Leavitt said:
President Trump was clearly referring to murderers, not migrants.
It's pretty disgusting the media is always so quick to defend murderers, rapists, and illegal criminals if it means writing a bad headline about President Trump.
The team emphasized that Trump was referring to individuals with criminal records, particularly those involved in serious offenses like homicide. They pointed out that Trump has long advocated for keeping dangerous individuals out of the country, framing his comments as a continuation of his hardline stance on immigration enforcement.
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Sources used:
Newsweek: Donald Trump Says There Are 'a Lot of Bad Genes' Among Migrants in America
Aljazeera: Trump blames murders in US on immigrants with ‘bad genes’
Reuters: Donald Trump says there are 'a lot of bad genes' among migrants in the US
