Donald Trump Remains Defiant Of Critics, Invites Miami Hispanic Community Leaders To Lunch In Little Havana

Presumptive Republican U.S. presidential candidate Donald Trump remains defiant against his critics, including those who have accused the real estate mogul of outright racism against Hispanics and other members of the Latin American community.

Trump — in anticipation of his expected presidential run on the G.O.P. ticket — announced invited select members of that voting group to lunch tomorrow at Miami’s Versailles restaurant.

“This is an opportunity for him to listen,” said Trump senior political advisor and Florida campaign chief Karen Giorno to the Miami Herald. Giorno also noted that, while the event is not open to the public, it does fall in line with Donald Trump’s goal to start “winning over” and potentially influencing those against him who might be willing to give him a chance.

“There are some people that, I’m not [going to] lie, they don’t know him,” continued Giorno, speaking about Trump’s potential uphill battle against mainstream media outlets and the perception that they assert. “[Some voters] only know what they’ve heard. This [lunch] is their opportunity to get to know the candidate.”

Per the Herald, notable invitees include “20-30 Hispanic community leaders — elected politicians, business people and pastors.” Many of those invited, the Miami Herald noted, have in the past been “wary of being tied to Trump.”

The polarizing Trump — who will also later speak to invited guests at the DoubleTree Hotel Miami Airport & Convention Center — has traditionally struggled in the polls in Miami-Dade and other portions of the country with heavy minority populations.

Trump has, of course, alienated some of his potential Republican and independent voter base with his defiant controversial past comments regarding limiting immigration for Mexicans, Muslims, and others looking to enter the country.

Happy #CincoDeMayo! The best taco bowls are made in Trump Tower Grill. I love Hispanics! https://t.co/ufoTeQd8yA pic.twitter.com/k01Mc6CuDI

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) May 5, 2016

Of course, that is also in addition to recent controversy that remains regarding Trump’s believed use of a six-pointed star in one of his political Tweets, a move that many of his critics viewed as anti-Semitic. This red Star of David image was used to highlight his attack on “Corrupt Hillary [Clinton],” his presumed Democratic presidential opponent.

Unapologetically defiant, The Don would later defend his use of the star in the image as “just a star.” The image is also, as has been noted by others, to also be in the shape of a traditional sheriff’s badge.

Trump, meanwhile, remains assertive that he is being unfairly targeted.

“That’s just a star,” Trump said of the controversy during a 30-minute address, per the New York Times. “[My campaign] shouldn’t have taken it down… too bad, [we] should have left it up… I would rather have defended it.”

According to Giorno, Trump’s campaign chose the city of Miami for this appearance, however, not for its traditionally large Jewish population.

Rather, Miami was selected because it remains a “microcosm” of Latinos, among them a large, traditionally Republican voter block of older Cuban U.S. citizens who are not as likely affected by Trump’s — and even Hillary Clinton’s — defiant past comments regarding restricting immigration.

Cubans, the Herald noted, have a “special status” that allows them to remain legally in the U.S. upon reaching the country.

“The speech is really going to talk about, we’re all Americans,” said Giorno, in an optimistic note that Trump might be able to shed some of his negative reputation. “What affects one group will affect all groups.”

[Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images]