<img src="https://sb.scorecardresearch.com/p?c1=2&amp;c2=36750692&amp;cv=3.6.0&amp;cj=1"> 'We can't do that to our farmers': Trump does a one-eighty on immigration and claims its now time to use 'common sense' – We Got This Covered
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Trump's address at the National Prayer Breakfast / Screengrab via YouTube

‘We can’t do that to our farmers’: Trump does a one-eighty on immigration and claims its now time to use ‘common sense’

Business cannot go on as usual with this approach.

President Trump has had one of the most consistently toxic stances on immigration in recent history. He has called some immigrants rapists, falsely accused others of being in gangs — but he has now, surprisingly, had a change of heart.

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Trump’s immigration policies have so far led to rioting protests in LA and multiple lawsuits, but reportedly, that’s not what led to his one-eighty on the issue. The U.S. has practical, day-to-day needs for immigrants — a reality the GOP often loves to gloss over. But sometimes reality outweighs narrative, and jobs essential to the balance of society — and the people who actually do them — need their due and respect.

Trump, surprisingly, itted that his own aggressive immigration policies have hurt the farming and hospitality industries. In a statement delivered to a reporter at the White House, Trump said, “We can’t do that to our farmers and leisure, too, hotels. We’ll have to use common sense on that.” These key sectors have been reporting staffing shortages in growing numbers, and business owners have started to reach out to the President directly after personally feeling the pinch.

There’s a recurring joke that floats around the interwebs that goes something like, “I exist to give value to the shareholders.” And although grim, that’s a way to read this new move: what ultimately prompted Trump to make this statement may have been the need to placate large-scale farmers who are losing business as a result of Trump harassing their staff. And, true to expectations, mere moments after he made the statement about farmers at the White House, he took to Truth Social to spread yet more fear-mongering about immigrants.

It’s not even clear where he stands on the issue anymore, but what’s clear is that he wants both factions of his followers to hear what they expect of him. The Agriculture Department recently released a report showing that the industry relies on undocumented immigrants to fill 42% of its workforce, according to Elon Musk isn’t the only one who’ll have to walk back his big talk.

But the issue with Trump’s aggressive policy goes far beyond just the people affected. The spotlight on LA and the resulting riot-caused curfew — is a telltale sign that immigration is more than just a legal matter in American life; it’s a cultural one. So when you respond with weapons and threats, the situation only escalates. Business cannot go on as usual with this approach, and Trump’s reputation takes an even bigger hit.

It’s not just Democrats sounding the alarm. These are bipartisan concerns about the labor shortages being created by ICE’s aggressive enforcement tactics. This one issue is quickly evolving into a complex dance heading into the midterm elections. Trump has to balance appeasing his MAGA followers — whose ideology blames immigration for every problem — and the economic realities faced by his inner circle.

At this point, it’s best to watch what he does, not what he says.


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Author
Image of Fred Onyango
Fred Onyango
Fred Onyango is an entertainment journalist who primarily focuses on the intersection of entertainment, society, and politics. He has been writing about the entertainment industry for five years, covering celebrity, music, and film through the lens of their impact on society and politics. He has reported from the London Film Festival and was among the first African entertainment journalists invited to cover the Sundance Film Festival. Fun fact—Fred is also a trained pilot.