Middle-of-the-Road Latinos: 45 Days into the Trump Administration

Eduardo A Gamarra

It has been a month and a half since Donald Trump returned to the White House, and for moderate Latino Democrats, the political landscape looks as uncertain as ever. The Democratic Party, which has long counted on Latino support, seems increasingly disconnected from the concerns of middle-of-the-road Hispanics. At the same time, Trump, despite his aggressive immigration policies, continues to consolidate his appeal among parts of the Latino electorate. Why? Three key issues stand out.

1. The Culture War: Democrats Keep Losing Latinos

For years, Latino voters have made it clear that they don’t identify with the progressive cultural agenda the Democratic Party has embraced. The insistence on using the term “Latinx,” a word overwhelmingly rejected by Hispanic communities, is just one example of how the party has failed to understand its base. Instead of focusing on issues that matter—economic opportunity, security, and education—Democrats have waged an ideological battle that alienates the very people they hope to attract. The more the party doubles down on these issues, the more it pushes culturally conservative Latinos into Trump’s camp.

2. Is There Room for Pro-Life Democrats?

The Democratic Party’s shift to the left on social issues has left little space for moderates, particularly those with religious or culturally conservative values. I recently received a call from a Latina leader who, despite watching Trump dismantle Temporary Protected Status (TPS) and ramp up deportations in her community, was seriously considering leaving the Democratic Party. Why? Because she no longer felt welcome as a pro-life Democrat. In a party that once had room for moderates, the message today is clear: conform or leave. And many are choosing to leave.

3. U.S. Policy Toward Latin America: A Trump Stronghold

For many Latinos who fled authoritarian regimes in Venezuela, Cuba, Bolivia, and Nicaragua, Trump’s tough stance on these countries remains a powerful draw—even as his administration has carried out large-scale deportations affecting these same groups. While Democratic progressives advocate for softer engagement, Trump projects a strongman image that resonates with those who believe that only hard power can bring down leaders like Nicolás Maduro and Daniel Ortega. The contradiction is striking: Trump’s policies hurt these communities in the U.S., yet many of their leaders stand by him because, in their view, he represents the only serious opposition to leftist dictatorships in Latin America.

Where Do Moderate Democratic Latinos Go From Here?

Latino voters are not monolithic. Many are not fully aligned with either party, but they increasingly feel abandoned by Democrats who are more focused on ideological purity than practical governance. Trump’s strategy of mixing cultural conservatism, a tough stance on Latin American regimes, and economic messaging has given him unexpected inroads with Latino voters despite his harsh immigration policies.

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