Donald Trump’s Wild Bedtime Story on Aurora ‘Invasion’ Shows His Dedication to Provoking His Base

Former President Donald Trump has once again advanced outlandish assertions, claiming that Venezuelan gangs have overtaken apartment buildings in Aurora, Colorado, intensifying his anti-immigrant rhetoric.

Local authorities and fact-checkers have consistently disproven these exaggerated claims, labeling them as unfounded fear-mongering tactics, much like many of Trump’s other unverified statements echoed by conservatives nationwide.

— Izzy Ⓜ️Ⓜ️? ?? (@1zzyzyx1) October 12, 2024

In a disconnect from reality, Trump continues to disseminate information that appears to be fabricated, presenting his narrative as indisputable fact.

At rallies, Trump has portrayed himself as a heroic figure, vowing to “save Aurora and other towns overrun and conquered” by migrants. He concocted a ludicrous narrative about “a battalion of illegal alien gang members and criminal migrants” wreaking havoc in American cities. Furthermore, he even proposed the death penalty for any migrant who harms a U.S. citizen or law enforcement official.

Despite Trump’s claims, the truth about Aurora paints a vastly different picture. While the area has welcomed Venezuelan migrants escaping the severe economic crisis in their home country, allegations of rampant gang activity are purely fictitious. Aurora’s Republican Mayor Mike Coffman has addressed these claims, stating, “Concerns regarding Venezuelan gang activity have been severely inflated.” Following police investigations, there is no proof of gang control over apartment complexes, despite viral social media narratives suggesting otherwise.

?Aurora, COFormer President Trump campaigned here on a message that this community is being “invaded,””infested,”and “conquered”by migrants. He drew a large crowd.But the GOP mayor says the claims are “grossly exaggerated.”One local told us Trump should “be ashamed.”pic.twitter.com/slNMpEw3i0

— Taylor Popielarz (@TaylorPopielarz) October 11, 2024

In actuality, Aurora has witnessed a year-over-year decrease in major crime rates, according to police data. The outcry is primarily fueled by issues relating to poor building code compliance and substandard living conditions in specific low-income housing units—a situation tied to years of inadequate property management, according to reports. Essentially, the problems relate to unscrupulous landlords rather than organized crime influences.

Jesus fucking Christ, I knew he’d get crazier but this is just insane

— Jcub Quack (@Jake_quack98) October 12, 2024

The inflammatory language used by Trump mirrors strategies employed by authoritarian figures and segregationists in history, such as the former, racist governor George Wallace of Alabama. By scapegoating vulnerable immigrant populations and framing them as existential menaces, Trump seeks to ignite unwarranted xenophobic fears among his supporters. This tactic paradoxically positions immigrants as both criminal threats and helpless intruders lacking the capacity for assimilation.

Aurora’s Republican Mayor Mike Coffman on Trump’s Friday rally: pic.twitter.com/qj6IZCyUfV

— Ben Siegel (@bensiegel) October 11, 2024

Beyond dehumanizing immigrants, which enables harsh enforcement and policing practices, Trump’s rhetoric disregards substantial evidence showing that immigrants tend to commit crimes at lower rates than those born in the U.S. His call to expand the death penalty specifically aimed at migrants who commit violent acts belies the fact that a white American is statistically more likely to engage in violent crime, illustrating an effort to restrict the notion of freedom for immigrants.

Despite the wave of racist rhetoric flooding the internet, increased scrutiny from voters regarding candidates’ claims about immigration and crime is essential. Seeking reliable data from local officials and trustworthy news outlets will be crucial—rather than accepting dubious information as circulated on social media.

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