Trump Criticizes Florida GOP Rep After She Condemns His Immigration Policies
Republican Representative Maria Elvira Salazar faced a rebuke from President Donald Trump after airing a television ad that denounced his immigration enforcement, highlighting tensions within the party as some members distance themselves from the president ahead of the 2026 midterms.
President Donald Trump’s approval rating has slipped, prompting several Republican office-holders to distance themselves from his policies. Florida Rep. Maria Elvira Salazar, a three-term congresswoman from a district that is 74% Hispanic, aired a direct-to-camera advertisement outside the White House in which she said, “Mr. President, some of your immigration enforcement efforts have gone too far,” adding that Hispanics who supported him feel “betrayed today.”
The ad sparked a sharp response on Trump’s Truth Social platform, where he reposted comments labeling Salazar “pro-amnesty,” a “back stabber,” and calling for the removal of his endorsement. Analysts view the president’s reaction as a warning to other Republicans who might publicly challenge his agenda.
Other GOP members who have recently softened their ties to Trump, such as Florida gubernatorial candidate Byron Donalds and Iowa Representatives Mariannette Miller-Meeks and Ashley Hinson, have not faced similar criticism. Trump even hosted Miller-Meeks and Hinson in the Oval Office to announce a new steel plant in Iowa, emphasizing his support for their upcoming campaigns.
The episode underscores growing intra-party friction as Republican candidates navigate a political landscape where Trump’s national approval sits at 39% in recent polls, down from 50% at the start of his second term.