Trump Criticizes Rep. Maria Elvira Salazar Over Immigration Policies

<figure><img alt="donald trump" src="https://thedailybeast-thedailybeast-prod.web.arc-cdn.net/resizer/v2/AWVR5FMQAREYLNBCNYJOU6UCRI.jpg?auth=bffcbd418742ebea71de0a54c90bdd59feb31b8b877cb4d57d8762f61376f604&amp;smart=true&amp;width=4141&amp;height=2329" /><figcaption>Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images</figcaption></figure><p>Donald Trump posted multiple messages on social media regarding Florida Congresswoman Maria Elvira Salazar, who has publicly disagreed with him over his immigration policies. On Saturday night, Trump shared at least 14 posts on Truth Social that appeared to respond to a video released by Salazar earlier this month criticizing his immigration tactics.</p><p>In one post shared by Trump, a user suggested, "Primary her in two years and see how she likes to keep criticizing Trump then." Another user stated, "So we need a NEW Republican to replace Salazar."</p><img alt="Trump shared at least 14 posts taking aim at his candidate. / Screenshot/Truth Social / Truth Social" height="804" src="https://thedailybeast-thedailybeast-prod.web.arc-cdn.net/resizer/v2/KJMI7RPVKNHFXC4DPLMFSSNHSU.png?auth=ee8ea73483577eda527e047ffeb268f6b8eb118d3acaf73a025a348f4edf4d42&amp;smart=true&amp;width=1912&amp;height=804" width="1912" /><img alt="The congresswoman is one of several Trump candidates to distance themselves. / Screenshot/Truth Social / Truth Social" height="728" src="https://thedailybeast-thedailybeast-prod.web.arc-cdn.net/resizer/v2/7QVKKKF3RVB6VFWK4H3QBMCQXI.png?auth=fe2522065705910769fca4e705b75e9e580ce8f3fa416c92fd94546759e7f58f&amp;smart=true&amp;width=1902&amp;height=728" width="1902" /><p>One post described Salazar as "nothing but a back stabber," while another expressed satisfaction that Latino support for Trump has remained strong.</p><p>Salazar's spokesperson and the White House did not respond to requests for comment. On September 17, Salazar released a video in which she claimed that Trump's immigration policies have gone "too far," stating, "The same Hispanics who helped you get to the White House in 2024 feel betrayed today." She highlighted that half of immigrants detained by Immigration and Customs Enforcement in July had no criminal convictions or pending charges, according to the Deportation Data Project.</p><video id="Alm3GpMF" poster="https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/Alm3GpMF/poster.jpg"><source src="https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/Alm3GpMF.mp4" type="video/mp4" /></video><p>Salazar addressed Trump directly, advising him to be cautious about the information his advisers provide regarding immigration policy. She later told <i>Face the Nation</i> that some of Trump's advisers are compromising his legacy but did not specify who they are.</p><p>Trump has not rescinded his endorsement of Salazar but indicated to a reporter that he disagrees with her views, stating that she "got a little bit soft on the border" and that she would not have won without his endorsement, as reported by CNN.</p><p>Currently, Trump appears to be considering the possibility of replacing Salazar in the next election cycle. In the 2024 election, Trump won Miami-Dade County, which includes Salazar's district, by nearly 15 points. However, recent polls indicate that he is now ten points underwater in the county.</p><p>Miami-Dade County has been significantly affected by Trump's immigration policies, which have faced criticism. The area has a large immigrant community and was previously home to the controversial immigration detention center known as "Alligator Alcatraz," which was accused of human rights violations.</p><img alt="President Donald Trump, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, and Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem toured “Alligator Alcatraz,” last summer—and lavished the facility with praise. / Andrew Caballero-Reynolds/Getty Images" height="5069" src="https://thedailybeast-thedailybeast-prod.web.arc-cdn.net/resizer/v2/7CFUSV5LR5DRRKAD5KTZ2G5LWY.jpg?auth=1ac903df8d6fc81b96816dce72e3baeabd448ded767d0e76a5a9447001df0f21&amp;smart=true&amp;width=7603&amp;height=5069" width="7603" /><p>Salazar is among several Republicans distancing themselves from Trump as the November elections approach. Trump criticized reports on Sunday that Florida GOP gubernatorial candidate Byron Donalds was removing mentions of him from his campaign materials, stating, "Another Fake Story is that a very close friend of mine, a man I endorsed very early, Byron Donalds, is taking me off his website and Campaign materials." He added, "I won Florida by Millions of Votes, getting the Highest Vote Tally in History — Three times! My numbers are better now than they were at the Election."</p><p>In Florida, Trump's approval rating stands at 40 percent, according to Newsweek.</p><p><a href="https://www.thedailybeast.com/trump-loses-it-on-maga-rep-maria-elvira-salazar-over-ad-defying-him/">Read more at The Daily Beast.</a></p>