Former President Donald Trump engaged in an extensive online criticism of Rep. Maria Elvira Salazar (R-Fla.) on Saturday, reposting more than a dozen social media messages that attacked the congresswoman after she broke with his stance on immigration.
The flurry of posts followed Salazar's criticism of Trump's immigration crackdown earlier in the month. Trump initially shared a Washington Post story noting that Latino voters in Salazar's district had reportedly wavered in their support after she characterized his immigration policies as going "too far" in a general election advertisement.
Between 6:01 p.m. and 6:03 p.m. ET, Trump reposted 13 additional messages targeting Salazar. Some reposts labeled her a "back stabber" and expressed satisfaction that Latino support had not wavered. Others suggested Trump should rescind his endorsement and called for a new Republican candidate to replace her on the ballot for her race against Democrat Eliott Rodriguez.
One repost suggested Salazar "misread the tea leaves," while another proposed she face a primary challenge in two years. Trump also suggested Salazar "wouldn’t have gotten elected" without his 2020 endorsement.
Earlier this month, when asked about his support for Salazar, Trump stated, "I am very strong on the borders — and she isn’t." He had previously endorsed Salazar in her 2020 election and in her primary battle this year, praising her efforts to "Keep our Border SECURE" and "Stop Migrant Crime."
Salazar's ad highlighted data indicating that 50% of Immigration and Customs Enforcement detainees had no criminal record, and stated that "the same Hispanics" who helped him get elected in 2024 "feel betrayed today." This advertisement quickly generated backlash from Trump supporters.
Despite the online criticism, Salazar reported having a "fantastic conversation" with Trump the previous Sunday, describing him as "very courteous" and "very receptive." Polling prior to her ad indicated she held a slight lead over Rodriguez in Florida's 27th congressional district.