Trump releases first major tv ad, focuses on immigration
Donald Trump on Friday released his first general election television ad which draws a dramatic contrast between his strict approach on immigration issues and what he claims his Democratic rival Hillary Clinton would do if she were in charge, which he boils down to as — “more of the same, only worse.”
Trump’s ad buys total almost $5 million and will run for 10 days in the swing states of Florida, Ohio, Pennsylvania and North Carolina.
The 30-second commercial titled, “Two Americas: Immigration,” paints a picture of what a world would look like with Trump leading it and what America would look like if Clinton was in charge. The ad argues that Clinton’s policies would lead to an influx of Syrian refugees and illegal immigrants convicted of crimes.
Images of what appear to be a crowd of Syrian refugees and border crossers being detained by police flash on the screen as the narrator says, “In Hillary Clinton’s America, the system stays rigged against Americans. Syrian refugees flood in. Illegal immigrants convicted of committing crimes get to stay.” It continues, Collecting Social Security benefits, skipping the line. Our border open. It’s more of the same, but worse.”
Trump, who often brags about beating a lengthy list of well-funded primary challengers, has yet to air a single television ad since he scored the Republican nomination. In May, Trump’s campaign spent only $20 million on ads – a drop in the bucket compared with Clinton’s $62 million.
Clinton has spent $61 million on general election ads while pro-Clinton groups have spent $43 million, according to figures released by NBC News.
Trump’s largest ad buys are : $441,000 in Orlando, Fla.; $204,000 in Columbus, Ohio; $530,000 in Philadelphia; and $347,000 in Charlotte, N.C.
Friday’s rollout comes three days earlier than scheduled. The Trump campaign had prepared to launch the spot after the Olympics, which ends Sunday.
The change up comes as concerns his off-the-cuff style is hurting him in the general election environment.
The timing of the ad also comes on the same day Trump’s outspoken campaign chairman Paul Manafort resigned.
Manafort generated his own headlines this week after questions continued to surface about his ties to Ukrainian politics. Some sources inside the Trump camp say Manafort was pushed aside so Steven Bannon, a conservative media executive, would take over.