A survey by The New York Times/Siena College released on Tuesday revealed that most immigrants don't consider Donald Trump's anti-immigrant rhetoric is directed at them. In fact, 50% of foreign-born Latino voters feel that way, keeping his support among the demographic strong and preventing Kamala Harris from garnering the type of numbers among Latinos which have historically favored Democratic candidates who reach The White House.
In all, 56% of Latino voters said they would vote for Harris, while 37% said they would vote for Trump, a considerable difference compared to 2020, when exit polls showed President Biden won 65% of Latino voters and 32% chose Trump.
During an Atlanta rally on Tuesday, Trump claimed that Latinos, as well as Blacks, should go to a psychiatrist if they vote for Harris come November:
"Any African American or Hispanic that votes for Kamala ... you got to have your head examined. They are screwing you"
Trump says Black Americans and Hispanic Americans have to "have [their] heads examined" pic.twitter.com/iRngAwRiCJ
— Kamala HQ (@KamalaHQ) October 16, 2024
In a statement collected by NBC News, Harris campaign spokesperson Sarafina Chitka reacted: "If Donald Trump thinks insulting Black and Latino voters is the key to earning their respect and their votes, it's him who should have his head examined."
It's not the first time the former president has used the "head examined" message. In fact, it has become one of his go-to phrases when referring to groups who align with the Democrats. Back in April, he used the phrase to refer to Jewish voters who supported then-candidate Joe Biden by saying that "any Jewish person who votes for a Democrat or votes for Biden should have their head examined."
He has also said in late September that Jews would bare a large portion of the blame if he loses next month:
"I'm not going to call this a prediction, but, in my opinion, the Jewish people would have a lot to do with a loss"
Catholic voters have also been subjected to the rhetoric. "I don't know what she has against our Catholic friends," Trump said of Harris on a post on Truth Social in September, "but it must be a lot, because she certainly hasn't been very nice to them. ... Any Catholic that votes for Comrade Kamala Harris should have their head examined."
Just posted Truth from President Trump: pic.twitter.com/8jWdzuU2x6
— Tim Murtaugh (@TimMurtaugh) September 23, 2024
More recently, during a rally in North Carolina, Trump also used the phrase to refer to senior citizens who support Harris. "Our seniors have been devastated by inflation. Trump said at a late September event. "If any senior does not vote for Trump, we're gonna have to send you to a psychiatrist to have your head examined," he added. Polls this year have shown a tight race among voters age 65 and over, while they favored Trump by 4 points in 2020.
Trump: If any senior doesn't vote for Trump, we're going to have to send you to a psychiatrist to have your head examined pic.twitter.com/kqxGdXY2Cx
— Acyn (@Acyn) September 25, 2024
The repeated use of this language has drawn criticism from Jewish and Catholic leaders, who warn of its divisive implications. Jewish Council for Public Affairs CEO Amy Spitalnick labeled the comments dangerous back in September, noting their potential to normalize antisemitism. "Trump believes that he's entitled to the Jewish vote, entitled to support from Jews, and when they don't give it to him, he immediately defaults to this idea of the disloyal or bad Jew", Spitalnick told NBC News back then.
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