AURORA | Donald Trump’s campaign announced Monday the Republican presidential nominee will hold a rally at the Gaylord Rockies in Aurora after weeks of repeating debunked allegations about the city being overrun by Venezuelan gang members.
“Aurora, Colorado has become a ‘war zone’ due to the influx of violent Venezuelan prison gang members from Tren de Aragua,” Trump’s campaign said in a press release. “With approximately 43,000 migrants flooding the neighboring city of Denver since December 2022, many of these migrants have made their way to Aurora, bringing chaos and fear with them.”
Trump’s critics, local police and city officials — including Republican Mayor Mike Coffman — have said the allegations are untrue.
Trump has been under fierce criticism for a similar ploy targeting Haitian immigrants in Springfield, Ohio. Trump and running mate JD Vance perpetuate false stories about immigrants there eating dogs and cats.
Trump and his allies have been trying to tie exaggerated and inaccurate issues surrounding immigrants to the Kamala Harris campaign, blaming immigration issues to Biden-Harris policies.
“Kamala’s border bloodbath has made every state a border state, leaving Colorado families at the mercy of criminals,” the campaign said.
Last week, Trump said that the Venezuelan gangs are moving beyond Aurora and will soon “take over the whole damn state.”
State officials have also repeatedly disputed Trump’s claims.
Aurora police have said there are Venezuelan and other gang problems in isolated parts of northwest Aurora.
Police have identified 10 people they say have ties to the Venezuelan gang Tren de Aragua. Police say that there are hundreds and likely more than 1,000 people in the area that have links to some kind of gang, not Venezuelan.
City officials and police maintain that problems at three Aurora apartments are the result of irresponsible building management, creating unlivable conditions. One apartment was effectively seized by city order, evicting all residents because of “unlivable” conditions. The complex was rife with unchecked vermin, garbage as well as plumbing and heating problems.
Coffman has referred to the building’s landlord as a “slumlord.”
Democrats immediately pushed Monday back on Trump’s announced visit.
“The last time Donald Trump came to Colorado, he helped make certain Cory Gardner would lose his election, and he appears set to do the same to Republican candidates across the state when he visits Aurora this Friday,” said Shad Murib, Chairperson of the Colorado Democratic Party. “Coloradans aren’t fooled: Trump isn’t coming to Aurora to talk about lifting up working people and creating a safer, more prosperous America; Trump is coming to spew hatred and division that’s not reflective of the Colorado we fight for every day.”
Trump’s campaign said the former president will appear at 1 p.m. Friday at the Gaylord Rockies, in east Aurora.
It seems appropriate that the Trump campaign would pick the Aurora location that comes closest to the atmosphere at Mar a Lago for his rally. However, I expect that he will find far fewer immigrant workers here than at his home resort. His vilification of migrants totally ignores the vital role that many of then play in construction and agricultural industries. I certainly hope that the City of Aurora is requiring the Trump campaign to pay for any needed local police protection well in advance of his arrival.
By all means Donald. Visit us if it means Republicans like Lauren Boebert end up like losing. I hate the thought of Trump venturing into our state with his MAGA dementia. But if his visit helps cause the demise of Boebert alone, putting up with this aging demented clown for a few moments to spew his vile will be worth it.
Sooooo…… Are Coffman and his cronies going to show Trump pictures or motorcade him through our “gang ridden” city? That should scare off all enterprises who are contemplating setting up their businesses here. But, if Coffman and Company want to admit how wrong they were about this particular “gang problem” and show him the great areas of Aurora, then they can kiss THEIR jobs goodbye. I agree with Laurence Steele about making sure the Trump campaign pay for local police protection – BEFORE he gets off his private plane. Take Friday off, people of Colorado, and show up to protest this ridiculous circus performance.