With the United States presidential election only two days away, Republican candidate Donald Trump’s rhetoric has taken a sharp turn, focusing on the decline of urban areas, particularly areas with large immigrant populations.
According to a New York Times report, Trump has targeted cities like Chicago, Washington, DC and Atlanta, calling them “bloody cesspools”. He also called urban centers “war zones” and “killing zones”.
The NY Times looked at public statements made by Trump from November 15, 2022, to October 29, 2024, using transcripts from CQ Roll Call’s FactBase, which tracks statements by President Joe Biden and other presidential candidates.
The former president’s list of criticisms extends to several California cities, which he has described as “war zones and gangland.” Specific cities such as San Francisco, San Jose, Oakland, and Los Angeles have been labeled as “war zones”, while other cities such as Baltimore have been labeled “dangerous”.
Trump’s statements about cities in the Northeast, Midwest and South reflected a similar tone. He has described New Orleans as a “war zone”, Washington, DC as “hell”, and Chicago as a “war zone”. His comments about Minneapolis were equally harsh, saying it resembled a “fire pit.”
In stark contrast, Trump praised areas that resonated with his political base, particularly red states. He mentioned states such as Indiana, Iowa and Idaho as “states that you don’t hear too much about because they’re so good and so well run.” His admiration extended to Montana, which he described as “the land of cowboys and cattle…one of the most beautiful places in all of God’s creations,” and Alaska, which he called “an incredible place and beautiful state.”
Trump is often seen remembering the beauty of places that he feels have been spoiled. For example, he commented on Aurora, Colorado and Springfield, Ohio, saying, “These were two beautiful, successful cities, delightful. And they’re in trouble, big trouble.”
He expressed similar sentiments about Detroit, labeling it as a “once great city” and describing New York City as a “city in decline”.
