On October 25, 2024, Donald Trump spoke at the 'Unite for Change' rally in Las Vegas, where he specifically targeted the Asian American and Pacific Islander community. During his address, he emphasized themes of economic growth, public safety, and immigration issues, asserting that he could gain support from this demographic. Notably, Asian Americans make up 12% of Nevada's electorate, with Filipinos being the largest subgroup. In the 2020 election, Biden received 64% of the Asian American vote in Nevada, while Trump garnered 35%. However, there are signs of erosion in Democratic support among this group, as evidenced by the 2022 governor's race, which showed only an 8% margin favoring Democrats. [0131bfad]
Trump's rhetoric included references to COVID-19 as the 'China virus,' a term that has been associated with a rise in anti-Asian hate. Despite this, he praised the Filipino community and promised to address their specific needs. His rally also featured speeches from notable figures like Tulsi Gabbard and Vivek Ramaswamy, who shared their immigrant backgrounds and discussed their immigration policies. [0131bfad]
In the broader context of the 2024 U.S. Presidential Election, Trump's confrontational rhetoric has escalated, particularly towards ethnic minorities, including Asian Americans. His campaign rallies have showcased derogatory language that positions immigrants as threats to American society, labeling them as 'stone cold killers' and 'bloodthirsty criminals.' This narrative has contributed to a climate of hostility, undermining the contributions of Asian Americans to the U.S. economy. [ccd4edc7]
Conversely, Vice President Kamala Harris is experiencing a surge in support among Asian American voters, with recent polling indicating that 66% of Asian American respondents plan to vote for her, compared to only 28% who support Trump. This marks a significant increase from earlier this year, where Harris had 46% support. The survey conducted by NORC is the first major poll since President Biden exited the race in July. [66a9e954]
Key issues influencing AAPI voters include racism, discrimination, and abortion rights. Additionally, 47% of respondents believe Harris would handle U.S.-China relations better than Trump, while 49% prefer her approach to Taiwan relations. [66a9e954]
As both candidates intensify their efforts in battleground states like Nevada, the outcome of the election may hinge on the participation of Asian Americans and other minority groups, whose contributions are vital to American society. With Asian American eligible voters having grown by 15% in the past four years, they are expected to represent 6% of the U.S. electorate, making their support crucial for both candidates. [66a9e954][651a1773]