Donald Trump seeks to build bridges with Hispanic evangelicals

Donald Trump is to address the National Hispanic Christian Leadership Conference this weekend, via a pre-recorded video message.

 Reuters

The presumptive Republican presidential nominee will make his first formal address to a Latino organisation, in a move to repair previously damaged relations with the significant Latino evangelical voting bloc.

"He must redeem the narrative with Latinos, and in particular people of faith," Rev Samuel Rodriguez, president of the leadership conference, told Bloomberg Politics.

The Latino evangelicals are seeking a candidate who endorses "pro-life, pro-family, religious liberty, immigration reform agenda", he said.

Rodriguez emphasised that the inclusion of Trump's message does not equate to an endorsement, and said Hillary Clinton and Bernie Sanders have been approached to do similar videos.

Trump's message will be played to more than 1,200 Hispanic leaders who are meeting to discuss the "issues that are important to evangelical Latinos", Rodriguez said.

Trump has previously referred to Mexican immigrants as "rapists" and "drug dealers", promised to build a wall along the US-Mexico border, and suggested that undocumented immigrants be deported.

"It would be the first time that I'm aware of that he's addressing, even though it's a videotaped message, a Latino organization," said Brent Wilkes, national executive director of the League of United Latin American Citizens.

"He's going to have to face the music and go out and talk to the community that he's been denigrating."

Latino evangelicals are yet undecided on who to vote for in the 2016 presidential race, Rodriguez told Bloomberg.

"The NHCLC stands committed not to the agenda of the donkey or the elephant but exclusively to the lamb's agenda," he said.

"Accordingly, we will encourage Latino people of faith to vote life, family, religious liberty and immigration reform."

related articles
Rival visions highlight evangelical split over Trump's presidential candidacy

Rival visions highlight evangelical split over Trump's presidential candidacy

Twitter and Trump: Why Christians in Politics want to end 'hyperbole and caricature' in debate

Twitter and Trump: Why Christians in Politics want to end 'hyperbole and caricature' in debate

Sadiq Khan attacks 'divisive and dangerous' Trump as feud intensifies

Sadiq Khan attacks 'divisive and dangerous' Trump as feud intensifies

News
Christians redouble efforts to stop assisted suicide
Christians redouble efforts to stop assisted suicide

Christians are doubling down on efforts to stop assisted suicide becoming legal in England and Wales after Kim Leadbeater's bill was debated in Westminster on Friday. 

Christian leaders unite in Westminster to kick off 2025 ‘Shine Your Light’ evangelism campaign
Christian leaders unite in Westminster to kick off 2025 ‘Shine Your Light’ evangelism campaign

More than 100 Christian leaders recently came together at a parliamentary reception in London for the launch of Shine Your Light 2025 — a bold evangelistic initiative aiming to bring the message of Christ to streets, neighbourhoods, and marketplaces across the UK.

Darlington nurses still waiting for single-sex changing space despite Supreme Court ruling
Darlington nurses still waiting for single-sex changing space despite Supreme Court ruling

An NHS trust has been accused of continually flouting the law around women’s rights by requiring female nurses to get changed in front of a biologically male nurse who goes by the name of “Rose”. 

CofE mission funding has brought in 37,000 people since 2017
CofE mission funding has brought in 37,000 people since 2017

The Church of England is happy with the progress being made by strategic mission and ministry investments.