Donald Trump Visit Being Met with Criticism, Dread, Glee

COACHELLA — U,S. Congressman Dr. Raul Ruiz has announced his strong opposition to Donald Trump’s visit to Coachella on Saturday, Oct. 12 while Joy Miedecke, president of the East Valley Republican Women Patriots has voiced her support.

“It’s truly appalling – and yet another demonstration of his cluelessness and ignorance – that Donald Trump would stage a rally in Coachella,” Ruiz said in a statement.

Congressman Ruiz continued: “Under a second Trump administration, there is literally no place in America that would be harmed more than the Coachella Valley. His proposed tariffs would cause another trade war, costing farmers and farmworkers hundreds of millions of dollars in exports and jeopardizing thousands of jobs. His hate-driven immigration policy would decimate the local workforce in agriculture, construction, and hospitality, severely harming families and businesses alike – including some of the businesses that support him. His ignorant opposition to clean energy would destroy local wind and solar businesses, as well as the emerging industries developing in the Salton Sea. And his repeated attempts to dismantle Obamacare would take away health care from thousands of local residents. Donald Trump – and his policies – are an affront to everything that makes the Coachella Valley a vibrant community.”

Coachella City Councilman Frank Figueroa, who Congressman Ruiz endorsed for Mayor of Coachella, echoed the Congressman’s remarks: “I’m disappointed that Trump is bringing his brand of divisiveness to Coachella. Trump is a threat to our shared values, his policies would decimate Coachella and surrounding communities, and he is an affront to the diversity we have cultivated here. Hate has no home in Coachella.”

Indio City Councilman Waymond Fermon agreed: “It’s hard to imagine a politician who represents our communities and our values worse than Donald Trump. He is a threat to our needs and to democracy itself. I certainly will not be attending this rally, and I would discourage everyone else from attending as well.”

Coachella Mayor has also condemned the Trump visit.

“The City of Coachella was proud to welcome Sen. Bernie Sanders during the 2020 primary election, but news of former President Trump’s upcoming visit has been met very differently. Trump’s attacks on immigrants, women, the LQBTQ community and the most vulnerable among us don’t align with the values of our community. He has consistently expressed disdain for the type of diversity that helps define Coachella. We don’t know why Trump is visiting near Coachella, but we know he wasn’t invited by the people who live here. He ain’t like us.”

This marks at least the second trip Trump has made to the Coachella Valley. In February 2020 then-President Trump made a trip to the Coachella Valley for a re-election fundraiser in Rancho Mirage.

“We’re excited about this news,” Miedecke, said in a statement announcing the Trump appearance.

She also encouraged followers to email or call the offices of Hernandez and Ruiz “and tell them how disgusting their rhetoric is when not welcoming the next president of the United States, Donald J Trump.”

The event is Saturday, Oct. 12 at the Calhoun Ranch, 52995 Calhoun St., Coachella. Doors open at 12 pm. with the big event starting at p.m.

Image Sources

  • Former President Donald Trump speaks to press before the start of civil fraud trial brought by NYS Attorney General Letitia James at NYS court in New York on October 2, 2023: Shutterstock