March 29, 2024

Trump talks trade, border at Madison County GOP Dinner

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WINTERSET — With the smell of Smokehaus Stockade barbecue lingering in the air and the campaign slogan “Make America Great Again” in large letters behind him, Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump highlighted his stances on immigration and trade in front of a packed Winterset High School cafeteria Saturday night at the Madison County GOP Dinner.

Trump, a real-estate mogul and host of the NBC television show “The Apprentice,” announced his decision to run June 16. Trump ranks second among Republican candidates in the latest New Hampshire poll, with 11 percent.

Trump’s 50-minute speech focused primarily on border control and trade. The main targets of the night were the Obama administration and the only Republican candidate who ranks higher than he does in the most recent poll: Jeb Bush.

“The last thing we need is another Bush,” Trump said to reporters during a pre-event press conference. “I don’t see how Bush is in the position that he’s in ... Can you imagine Bush negotiating with China? Negotiating with Ikea?”

During the press conference, Trump said Obama’s health care reform was a “disaster” and the Supreme Court decision on same-sex marriage should have instead given power to the states. Regarding the recent friction between him and the Spanish language network Univision over statements he made on illegal immigration, Trump said the network broke a contract and that he stands firm.

“Any politician would have folded immediately,” he said. “I don’t fold – because I’m right. The illegals should not be allowed in this country. They’re pouring in and causing a lot of problems.”

Trump continued to focus on illegal immigration during his speech.

“We need a border. We need strength,” he said. “People cannot come into our country illegally, or we don’t have a country. If you don’t have a border, you don’t have a country,”

Trump also clarified the context of sound bytes he believes the media has taken out of context, such as the statement “I’m really rich.”

“I said, ‘I’m really rich,’ and the next part was immediate: ‘and that’s the kind of mentality and thinking we need in this country because we have to make our country rich again,’” he said.

Trump speckled humor throughout his keynote speech, such as when he confirmed that his hair is, in fact, real. He then said he once responded to a question on what he would do differently with his look if he became president by saying he would probably comb his hair back because he would be working too hard to spend time styling it. The audience applauded.

Trump ended his speech with a shout out to Iowans.

“The people of Iowa ... they work hard,” Trump said. “They love the country. They want to see this happening, and it’s an honor to be with you.”

As he walked off, Twisted Sister’s “We’re Not Gonna Take It” played in the background.

An hour before the 6 p.m. barbecue dinner, a smaller crowd of attendees filled the John Wayne Birthplace and Museum for a photo op with the presidential candidate in front of the John Wayne figure. Outside the building were more supporters, as well as a small group of protestors holding a sign with Donald Duck sporting Trump’s hairstyle.

Prior to Trump’s keynote address, U.S. representatives David Young and Steve King made opening statements.

For more photos and video of the event, visit www.crestonnews.com.