Trump appeals to South Florida’s Cuban community during rally aimed at upstaging GOP debate

By ADRIANA GOMEZ LICON and JILL COLVIN
Associated Press

HIALEAH, Fla. (AP) — Former President Donald Trump has appealed to South Florida’s Cuban community during a rally aimed at upstaging his 2024 Republican presidential rivals while they engaged in their third debate without him a half-hour’s drive away. Trump’s Wednesday night event was part of a practice he has pursued through the GOP debates. Trump has cited his commanding lead in the polls in skipping the stage but has also drawn attention to himself with simultaneous events. Trump’s rally was an opportunity to showcase support among Latino voters in the Miami suburb of Hialeah, a community with a strong Cuban-American population. Trump remains popular enough there that a City Council candidate used his image on campaign signs.