Donald Trump leaned into his anti-immigration rhetoric when he made a statement on immigration from Venezuela to America. But the former president then struggled to back up his claims when asked about the source of his statistics.
Trump, the presumptive GOP nominee, ended an interview with Fox 2 Detroit anchor Roop Raj by saying, “One statistic before we go.” Venezuela was very crime-ridden. They announced the other day a 72% reduction in crime over the last year. You know why? They moved all their criminals from Venezuela to the good old United States and (President Joe) Biden let them do it. It’s a shame.
Raj asked Trump: “But sir, where do these numbers come from?
Trump responded by floundering: “Uhhh, I guess I got them from the papers on this one. I think it’s a federal statement or, well, they’re actually from Venezuela. They come from Venezuela.
“We’ll have to check that out,” said Raj, whose full interview with Trump will air Thursday.
FOX 2’s Roop Raj goes one-on-one with former President Trump. Abortion, immigration, states’ rights… an extensive “nothing forbidden” interview Thursday on FOX 2. pic.twitter.com/uKIbgjm1oc
– FOX 2 Detroit (@FOX2News) April 30, 2024
Trump has previously made a similar claim regarding the effect of Venezuelan immigration to the United States on his own national crime statistics – but with a different number.
“Crime is down 67% in Venezuela because they are taking their gangs and criminals to the United States,” he told supporters at a rally in Green Bay, Wisconsin, on June 2. April only.
PolitiFact, the US non-profit political fact-checking site, called this example of Trump manipulation exaggerated.
Crime East in Venezuela, he noted, but not in the massive percentage claimed by Trump. Since official figures are difficult to obtain, this could be around 20 to 30%. The website also cites local sources saying this is due to various other factors – including the economy and the consolidation of organized crime – and not, as Trump says, America emptying its prisons.
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