Geraldo Rivera recently stirred up controversy with comments criticizing Latino voters who support Donald Trump. He expressed disbelief, stating that he couldn’t understand how any Latino person with self-esteem or self-respect would back Trump. Rivera has long been outspoken against Trump’s rhetoric on immigration, particularly the former president’s harsh stance on undocumented immigrants, whom he says Trump has at times compared to animals.
🚨NEW: Geraldo Rivera insults Latino voters supporting Trump: "I don't know how any Latino person of any self-esteem, any self-respect” would support Trump.
— Western Lensman (@WesternLensman) October 15, 2024
Wow. This is how Democrats demean minority voters, and then wonder why record numbers are leaving their party.
GERALDO:… pic.twitter.com/uNKkDoyahq
During a segment on NewsNation with host Leland Vittert, Rivera doubled down on his stance, calling Trump’s approach to Latin American immigrants “absolutely racist.” When Vittert pushed back, questioning whether insulting Latino Trump supporters was a productive strategy, Rivera struggled to provide a clear defense of his argument. This exchange has drawn significant attention, with some critics pointing out that such comments may alienate Latino voters further rather than convince them to change their political preferences.
“He has chosen to become an absolute racist when it comes to speaking of particularly Latin undocumented immigrants, comparing them basically to animals,” Rivera said. “It’s horrifying. I don’t know how any Latino person of any self-esteem, any self-respect would, would be in favor.”
This moment also highlights a growing trend in which more Latino voters, especially men, have shifted toward the Republican Party in recent elections, frustrating some Democrats who are used to their historic support from minority communities. Rivera’s comments reflect a deeper tension around the changing political landscape and the complexities of voter identity and loyalty.