Last week, Vice President Kamala Harris attended a town hall hosted by Univision at Las Vegas, Nevada. Former President Donald Trump’s was scheduled earlier in the week but postponed due to potential impacts from Hurricane Milton. Trump’s town hall was rescheduled for tonight, at Univision headquarters in Doral. FL.
There are contrasts in the town halls. In Harris’s case, she got fewer questions which on substance were simpler. Trump drew more substantive questions, as well as some which could well be considered hostile.
It is also necessary to remember that this town hall was supposed to feature persons from battleground states. As with the Harris forum, there were people flown in from California and other non-swing states.
The first question of the night was on high prices and the cost of housing:
First question of the Univision town hall is from Diana in Houston, TX, on high prices and the cost of living. pic.twitter.com/uo0PbBMHdI
— Jorge Bonilla (@BonillaJL) October 17, 2024
The first immigration question was about the deportation of farm workers. Trump suggests here that the initial focus may be on criminal migrants:
When asked about hypothetically deporting farm workers, Trump makes clear that criminals are the priority, and emphasizes an orderly immigration system pic.twitter.com/MQkReTTSVv
— Jorge Bonilla (@BonillaJL) October 17, 2024
The next question is on housing and job creation:
Next question is on housing and job creation: pic.twitter.com/N0QCiGhzx2
— Jorge Bonilla (@BonillaJL) October 17, 2024
Trump gets asked about the national debt, proposes growth as a solution to debt. He floats Elon Musk as Efficiency Czar.
Next question is on the national debt: Growth as a solution to debt. @elonmusk to be made in charge of govt efficiency. Shoutout to Starship booster chopsticks grab. pic.twitter.com/8KaWWrktOS
— Jorge Bonilla (@BonillaJL) October 17, 2024
The next question is on immigration, and on the failed Senate bill. This “independent” from Chicagoland sure sounds like a Harris leaner:
A question on the border, and the failed Senate bill: Trump focuses on the border. The question suggests Harris leaner. pic.twitter.com/Z90TNH9ZCY
— Jorge Bonilla (@BonillaJL) October 17, 2024
The Springfield “cats and dogs” question, from an Arizona voter.
Trump gets the cats and dogs question. Strong response on Springfield. Tougher questions than what Harris got. pic.twitter.com/y7ooD94laS
— Jorge Bonilla (@BonillaJL) October 17, 2024
Here’s where the game is given away: They bring back a questioner from the Harris forum. His tone and question were much sharper to Trump than to Harris.
Univision brings back the Tampa construction worker. His question to Kamala, in Spanish, was about hurricane response. To Trump, in English: J6, Covid, and administration dissenters. Doesn’t strike me as very undecided. pic.twitter.com/IpBOMI8DNA
— Jorge Bonilla (@BonillaJL) October 17, 2024
Another “swing voter” from Illinois, with a left-framed gun control question.
So much for “Hispanics from swing states”. Two people from Illinois, along with two from California. This “undecided” with a left-framed gun control question. I told you so. https://t.co/cIXaz3KGRl pic.twitter.com/C1IOgUpCVG
— Jorge Bonilla (@BonillaJL) October 17, 2024
Florida Man with a climate change question. Good on Trump to pivot to the Green New Deal.
Another non-swing state resident, with a climate change question. Good pivot to the Green New Deal. pic.twitter.com/D2u1q7DJfW
— Jorge Bonilla (@BonillaJL) October 17, 2024
The obligatory abortion question, couched as a wedge against Melania:
Voter from North Carolina on whether Trump agrees with Melania on abortion: pic.twitter.com/szJVHhdDMk
— Jorge Bonilla (@BonillaJL) October 17, 2024
Another person traveling to both events: Carlos from Arizona asks Trump whether he has any regrets from his previous stint in The White House.
Another double dipper: Carlos from Arizona, who asked Kamala what she’d do differently than Biden on the border, asking Trump to name a regret or learning opportunity. Trump’s response: personnel. pic.twitter.com/vo0peTJmPn
— Jorge Bonilla (@BonillaJL) October 17, 2024
Eloy from Wisconsin asks Trump what steps he’d take in order to unite the nation.
Eloy from Wisconsin asks Trump what steps he’d take to unite the nation.TRUMP: We are very divided. We were united. People had jobs, were doing great. Dems want men in women’s sports and transgender operations on minors. Success will bring this country together. pic.twitter.com/xdOnrI0dzw
— Jorge Bonilla (@BonillaJL) October 17, 2024
To end the town hall, the same final question from the same person that asked Kamala to name three positive attributes about their opponent. Kamala named 1 such attribute. Trump named 3.
The last question, same questioner as in the Harris town hall: Name 3 virtues you acknowledge in Kamala Harris.TRUMP: That’s the toughest question. She’s done horrible damage to the country. BUT:1. Ability to survive2. Longtime friendships3. Nice way about her pic.twitter.com/xLw86ae6kq
— Jorge Bonilla (@BonillaJL) October 17, 2024
There were 13 audience questions for Trump to Kamala’s 10. Trump’s questions were sharper in comparison to Kamala’s. As was the case with Kamala’s town hall, anchor Enrique Acevedo maintained a hands-off approach, which allowed the candidates to engage the audience directly. Per reports, Trump met with attendees after the conclusion of the event.
Might this event move the needle for Hispanics with Trump? It’s hard to say definitively, but it can’t hurt any time Trump has a mic and is in front of a crowd. Media strategies are going to get very interesting over the next three weeks.
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