A sudden shift in the campaign strategy of Donald Trump and his running mate, Sen. J.D. Vance, has left some Republicans concerned and frustrated as the election draws near. Initially, the campaign focused on appealing to moderate Republicans and independent voters who were hesitant about another Trump presidency.
However, the campaign has pivoted toward an anti-immigrant message, particularly targeting Haitian immigrants in Ohio, which has drawn criticism from both within the party and beyond. According to a report by Politico’s Mia McCarthy and Meredith Lee Hill, the original plan was for Vance to help court moderate voters after the Republican National Convention.
Early on, Vance appeared on a range of media outlets, engaging with both liberal and conservative hosts, and participated in “all five Sunday shows” to broaden his appeal. But the campaign’s tone has taken a sharp turn, with the focus now shifting to inflammatory rhetoric about immigration, which many Republicans see as a distraction from key issues like the economy.
The immigrant-bashing strategy has centered on unverified claims that Haitian immigrants in Ohio were eating pets, a narrative pushed by both Vance and Trump. This change has not only derailed the campaign’s initial plan but also sparked a backlash from GOP lawmakers and strategists who are worried about its long-term impact.
Politico reports that this shift has “alarmed some Republicans who want the campaign to focus on their opponent Harris and the state of the economy, a top issue for both parties ahead of November.” One GOP strategist, Ryan Horn, expressed frustration, saying, “They need to get their heads out of their asses and get dead-set focused on the swing voters. And stop paying attention to what their base is saying online.”
A Senate GOP aide echoed similar concerns, noting that the shift “undercuts our message, certainly.” The campaign’s focus on immigrant-bashing, particularly around unverified stories of Haitian immigrants stealing geese in Ohio, has drawn criticism from both Democrats and Republicans.
As Politico explains, Vance’s original media strategy was designed to appeal to undecided voters by drawing a contrast between Trump’s and Harris’ campaigns. However, as the pet-eating claims have gained traction—particularly after Trump brought it up during a debate—the focus on these narratives is seen by many Republicans as a harmful distraction.
Rep. Mike Lawler (R-NY) even urged his colleagues to avoid “spreading unfounded theories and claims based off of posts on Facebook.” Despite these warnings, Vance and his allies have continued to push these claims, with the conservative outlet The Federalist providing unverified videos and police audio as supposed evidence. The shift in focus has left many within the GOP worried about the long-term consequences as the election approaches.