Florida Republican Salazar Breaks With Trump Over Immigration in New Campaign Ad

Rep. Maria Elvira Salazar, a Florida Republican, released a campaign ad on Thursday directly criticizing President Donald Trump’s immigration enforcement, saying some efforts have ‘gone too far’ and that Hispanic voters who supported him in 2024 now ‘feel betrayed.’ The 30-second spot, recorded in English and Spanish in front of the White House, marks a notable break from a president who endorsed her reelection.

In the ad, Salazar addresses Trump directly: ‘Mr. President, some of your immigration enforcement efforts have gone too far. In July, 50% of the 50,000 people that were detained had no criminal record. Be careful what your advisers are telling you about immigration policies.’ She adds, ‘The same Hispanics who helped you get to the White House in 2024 feel betrayed today.’

District and Reelection Context

Salazar represents Florida’s 27th Congressional District, which includes parts of Miami and is nearly three-quarters Hispanic. Trump won the district by about 15 points in 2024. She faces Democrat Eliott Rodriguez, a former television news anchor, in a race rated ‘likely Republican’ by nonpartisan analysts but viewed by Democrats as a pickup opportunity.

The ad is her first general election spot and will run on TV and online in South Florida. A press release from her campaign said more ads will follow ahead of the November 3 midterms.

Reactions From MAGA and Democrats

The ad drew immediate backlash from prominent MAGA commentators. Right-wing influencer Gunther Eagleman posted on X, ‘Time to replace her with a REAL conservative.’ Another account, ‘End Wokeness,’ criticized the ad. Some Trump allies called for the president to revoke his endorsement, which he gave in a February Truth Social post praising her ‘Wisdom and Courage.’

Democrats also pushed back. The official Democratic Party account on X shared an April video of Salazar advocating for additional ICE funding, writing, ‘Don’t fall for her lies. María Elvira Salazar has stood with ICE every step of the way.’ Rodriguez, her opponent, dismissed the ad as political opportunism, saying in a statement, ‘The same Maria Elvira Salazar who desperately sought Trump’s endorsement and then voted to give billions of dollars to ICE to terrorize immigrants… now wants to cry alligator tears to her boss because his immigration policy is political poison in her reelection campaign.’

Background and Latest Status

Salazar has long advocated for a bipartisan immigration approach. She introduced the Dignity Act, which would create a pathway to legal status for certain undocumented immigrants without criminal records, though it does not provide a path to citizenship. She has framed her position as supporting border security while seeking different treatment for migrants without criminal records.

The White House did not respond to requests for comment on the ad. Trump has not yet addressed the video. Salazar’s campaign has not responded to requests for comment on the reactions. The ad continues to air in South Florida as the midterm campaign enters its final weeks.