Hopping onto stage to the strains of the Free song "All Right Now"—the rock music choice and song lyrics making everything a bit more awkward—Vice President Mike Pence launched the Latinos for Trump coalition campaign initiative in Miami, Florida.
Pence came to the podium to exclaim:
"Hola, Miami!"
The VP added:
"It is great to be back in the Sunshine State for the 2019 kick-off of Latinos for Trump!"
You can watch his opening remarks here.
Trump campaign officials indicated before the Orlando MAGA rally that launched the 2020 Trump/Pence campaign that Florida would be testing ground for their Latinx voter outreach. It's a better place than other states with high Latinx voting bases.
Many found the "hola" to be pandering.
Reactions online to the Latinos for Trump launch were less than favorable.
Some did not believe the authenticity of widespread support for Pence or Trump among Latinx voters.
Some responded in a language Pence could understand. Maybe.
"No chingues con tu 'hola'."
"Don't with your hello."
"La Madre que lo parió"
"Mother of God..."
"Nothing says Latino Voter like Mike Pence, que maldita broma"
"Nothing says Latino Voter like Mike Pence, what a darn joke"
Considering the record of the Trump administration for most people of color, women, LGBTQ people, religions other than Christian...many found the idea of Latinos for Trump absurd.
Watch the full launch of Latinos for Trump with Vice President Mike Pence here. Or at least catch that rock and roll entrance.
If you'd like to speak Spanish like Mike Pence, Pimsleur Spanish Conversational Course - Level 1 Lessons 1-16 CD: Learn to Speak and Understand Latin American Spanish, is available here.
If the soundtrack had your feet tapping, you can get 5 classic Free albums here. It includes their hit "All Right Now."