President Donald Trump escalated his criticism of Rep. Maria Elvira Salazar (R-Fla.) after she denounced his immigration policies in a campaign ad, with the president amplifying posts calling for her replacement and accusing her of betraying his 2024 coalition. Salazar, whose district is 70% Hispanic, warned that his enforcement tactics risked alienating voters who helped him win the White House, while Trump insisted he still supported her reelection.
President Donald Trump has intensified his public criticism of Rep. Maria Elvira Salazar (R-Fla.), reposting social media attacks that called for her replacement ahead of her November election, despite having endorsed her just weeks earlier. Salazar, a Cuban-American congresswoman representing one of the most Hispanic districts in the country, released a campaign ad in late September directly challenging Trump’s immigration enforcement strategies, stating, Mr. President, some of your immigration enforcement efforts have gone too far.
The ad, which aired in Spanish and English, warned that Hispanic voters who helped Trump win the 2024 election felt “betrayed” by his policies.
Trump’s shift came after Salazar criticized his administration’s aggressive tactics, including ICE operations that sparked public backlash. In Minneapolis, two U.S. citizens were fatally shot by ICE agents in January 2026, leading to widespread protests and criticism of the administration’s handling of the incidents. A Pew Research Center analysis showed Trump’s approval among Hispanic voters dropped from 36% in 2024 to 22% by April 2026, with many attributing the decline to the administration’s immigration enforcement and messaging. Salazar argued that his approach was alienating the very voters who secured his victory.
Conflict Escalation: What Each Source Reports
Politico reported that Trump reposted over a dozen social media posts attacking Salazar, including one user’s call to replace Salazar,
and accused her of “betraying” his 2024 coalition. The Florida congresswoman won her primary handily with over 80% of the vote. She has faced pressure from MAGA figures like Laura Loomer, who have long criticized her for supporting a bipartisan immigration bill that she described as “not amnesty.” Trump told reporters, I’m very strong on the borders — and she isn’t,
while acknowledging he had seen her ad.
Wlrn detailed Salazar’s claims that she had a “fantastic” phone call with Trump, in which she urged him to preserve the “pot of gold” he brought to the GOP by appealing to Hispanic voters. I told him, ‘Sir, you have this moment in history where you can keep the pot of gold that you brought to the GOP in 2024,’
she said, according to the outlet. However, she also alleged that unnamed White House advisers were compromising his legacy
by misrepresenting the issue. Trump, meanwhile, reiterated his support for her but dismissed her criticism, stating, She obviously doesn’t have a very strong feeling about the border. I do.
The Yahoo article highlighted the broader political fallout from Trump’s immigration policies, noting that 61% of voters told Quinnipiac University pollsters the administration had not given an honest account of the Minneapolis shootings. The piece also criticized the administration’s use of “memes” and TikTok trends to promote deportations, arguing that such tactics deepened public distrust. Salazar’s ad, which ran in South Florida, framed Trump’s approach as counterproductive, with the congresswoman stating, The average American understands the difference between the narco and the nanny and the gangster and the gardener.
Unresolved Questions and Political Implications
The tension between Trump and Salazar underscores the growing fractures within his 2024 coalition, particularly on immigration. While Trump’s base has pushed for stricter enforcement, the administration’s actions have alienated moderate voters and fueled Democratic efforts to flip Salazar’s Miami-based district. The Cook Political Report recently downgraded her seat from safe Republican
to likely Republican,
citing Trump’s declining Hispanic approval ratings as a key factor. Salazar’s race against Democrat Eliott Rodriguez has become a focal point for both parties, with the 27th district’s majority Hispanic population making it a critical battleground.
Salazar’s ability to maintain her support hinges on her ability to reconcile her criticism of Trump’s policies with the president’s continued endorsement. While Trump has not formally withdrawn his backing, his public attacks on her suggest a deepening rift. The outcome could signal whether Trump’s 2024 coalition remains cohesive or if internal divisions will further erode his influence. As the November election nears, the conflict between the two figures reflects broader questions about the future of GOP immigration strategy and its appeal to minority voters.
Trump’s handling of immigration has also drawn scrutiny from within his own party. The administration’s ICE operations, particularly in Minneapolis and Austin, have prompted calls from both Democrats and some Republicans to scale back enforcement. Salazar’s campaign ad, which has been widely shared, frames the issue as a crucial moment in Trump’s legacy. The answer may determine not only her re-election bid but also the broader political trajectory of the Republican Party in a rapidly shifting electoral landscape.