Trump Goes All In on Venezuelan Gang Alarmism in Aurora

On September 18, Donald Trump promised to come to Aurora within two weeks. He was a little late, but on October 7 his campaign announced that he'd be at the Gaylord Rockies Resort for a rally at 1 p.m. today, October 11. The former president has called Colorado's third-largest city "a war zone," claiming that Venezuelan gangs are taking over the town...and that was the major theme at today's event.

Here's a capsule review of the event, from the most recent moments to the earliest.

Trump's Aurora Finale

Trump ends his speech with the expected talking points, including mass deportations and pro-America rallying cries.

"I will ban all sanctuary cities, including Denver. And we will begin the largest deportation program in the history of our country. We will not be conquered. We will reclaim our sovereignty, and Colorado will vote for Trump. I will give you back your freedom and your life. And together we will make America powerful again," he says. "We will make America wealthy again. We will make America healthy again. We will make America strong again. We will make America proud again. We will make America safe again. And we will make America great again."

Denver Schools, Health Care Take Heat

Trump claims there is a hospital "fifteen miles outside of Aurora" where American citizens can't get a hospital bed because the hospital is overrun with 20,000 migrant patients. This is untrue.

Denver Health reported a $10 million bump in expenses for "uncompensated care" for migrants in 2023 and UCHealth reported caring for "thousands" of migrants without health insurance in late 2023 through early 2024, but no hospital has been booked full in Colorado with or because of migrant care.

He also takes aim at Denver Public Schools.

"Denver schools enrolled an average of 500 new students every year, now reports 500 every two weeks."

Numbers don't back this up. According to Chalkbeat, a count of DPS students showed 85,313 students were enrolled in kindergarten through twelfth grade on September 30. That's a 2 percent increase from 83,410 students in 2023 and nearly 3 percent more than the 82,997 tallied students in 2022.

"Operation Aurora" Promised by Trump If Elected

"I'm announcing we will have an Operation Aurora at the federal level," Trump says, after telling how law enforcement in San Antonio started an Operation Aurora to deal with migrants. He adds that he will send "elite" federal immigrant and law enforcement agents "to deport every last one of them."

He also calls for ten years in prison, no parole, for any illegal immigrant caught re-entering the country, and for the "death penalty for any migrant who kills any American citizen," to loud cheers. He also promises to "take back our suburbs, take back our towns."

Trump Attacks the Free Press Again

After bringing up "licenses" for CBS and suggesting that broadcast and news services be reprimanded for "fake news," Trump blasts two of the country's most prestigious newspapers.

"New York Times is the enemy of the people. Washington Post is the enemy of the people, too."

Oil Drilling and Deportations Will Start on His First Day, According to Trump

"I've always had the ability to do a lot of things. ... We're also going to drill, baby, drill. On that same day, we will begin the task of deporting every single alien immigrant," Trump says.

Now It's Joe Biden's Turn

Trump takes more than a few swipes at President Joe Biden, including a mocking impression of Biden's voice. Trump claims that the Ukraine-Russian war and economic inflation would not have occurred if he had been president. He also claims that Biden doesn't like Kamala Harris, and boasts of his first debate performance against Biden. No mention of his second debate against Harris.

"Isn't it fun? Isn't it nice? To have a president who doesn't need a teleprompter?" he says. "They might want to put a third person in there! Please be nice to Kamala? Let's see, who are they going to put in next? Hillary?"

Trump Suggests Taking Away CBS's "License"

"There's something wrong with her," Trump says of Kamala Harris before directing his ire at CBS and its recent interview with Harris. (According to CBS, Trump turned down an interview for 60 Minutes.)

He then appears to suggest that media should have a "license" and that the government should "take [CBS's] license away."

"60 Minutes...I think it's the biggest scandal in broadcast history," he says. "So CBS gets a license, and the license is based on honesty...I think we have to take their license away."

Trump Promises to "Rescue" Aurora

Donald Trump promises to "rescue" Aurora from the gang problem he claims to have noticed.

"We're in an occupied state where the law enforcement officers want to do the job. To everyone here in Colorado and across the country: November 5, 2024, will be liberation day in America," he says before chants of "U.S.A" by the crowd.
"I will rescue every town like Aurora that has been invaded and conquered. Explain that to your governor — he doesn't have a clue."

"Today, there's more enthusiasm for this movement, the MAGA movement, Make America Great Again. But there was great indignation in Colorado. ... You know who was the most indignant? The Democrats."

Trump Blasts Colorado Governor Jared Polis

"Not a good one, this one," Trump says of Colorado Governor Jared Polis, a Democrat. Trump goes on to say that Polis called him "sir" a lot during Trump's time as president.

"He's a weak and ineffective governor," Trump says to loud booing from the crowd. "I got to know him in the White House. I'd see him with the other governors. ... I love this state. This state has to flip Republican."

"Polis, he's a coward, he's a fraud, he's pathetic. He doesn't see. They don't want to see. They want to stay with Washington, because otherwise they'll get indicted."

Trump then indicated that Polis tried to remove him from the 2024 presidential ballot because Trump was leading in the presidential polls against Joe Biden. However, there is no record of Trump leading a poll this year. And while there was a lawsuit to remove Trump from the ballot for having incited the insurrection attempt in Washington, D.C., on January 6, 2021, Polis was never part of it.

"Polis, who led the effort to take me off the ballot...then the Supreme Court, very brave and very brilliant, voted nine to nothing."

Kamala Harris Bashing Begins

Trump wasted little time in attacking his opponent, Democrat Vice President Kamala Harris, accusing her of importing an immigrant army to "prey upon innocent American citizens."

"That's what they're doing," Trump says, before saying "multiple apartment complexes" have been taken over by a "savage gang."

"They come from the dungeons of the third world, and she has had them resettle into your community to prey upon innocent American citizens. In Aurora, multiple apartment complexes have been taken over. ... They're known as TdA. TdA has killed seven people today," Trump says, though there have been no reports of TdA murders today — or this week.

"Four years ago we had the safest border in the history of the country," he says before pointing to a graph allegedly showing rising illegal immigrant numbers in the country. "That is the most beautiful graph I've ever seen...I take it home every night and sleep with it and kiss it."

Trump also talks of Harris's first run for president in 2020, during which she bowed out during the Democratic primaries.

"Out of 22 people, she quit," he says.

Trump Praises "Great People" Before Saying Colorado Is Being Ruined

The crowd is deafening as Trump enters. "This beautiful state with thousands of beautiful people, American patriots," he says.

"We have a lot to talk about. ... What are they doing to Colorado? They're ruining this state. Let's do this, let's mention some of the really great people and the really great patriots...then we'll get back into what we're going to do. You know what you're going to do? Vote for Trump."

Trump goes on to praise Lauren Boebert, Aurora City Councilwoman Danielle Jurinsky, interim Congressman Greg Lopez, Harriet Hagerman (the Wyoming woman who defeated Liz Cheney in the primary election), Stephanie Hancock, Mike Danielson, and former Denver Bronco Derek Wolfe, among others in attendance.

"You are one big guy, Trump says to Wolfe.

Sarah Palin, also in attendance, receives a shoutout from Trump.

Songs Played to Pump Up Crowd at Trump Rally

Playing songs at political rallies can be a cat-and-mouse game of cease-and-desists from the musicians who made them, especially for Republicans. What tunes have they been playing so far to pump up the MAGA crowd today?

"YMCA," by the Village People. No, we're not joking.

The rally has also played "Give Me Everything," by Pitbull; "Great Balls of Fire;" by Jerry Lee Lewis (as Lauren Boebert did a TV interview, no less); "Pinball Wizard," by the Who; "You Don't Own Me" by Lesley Gore; "Jolene," by Dolly Parton; "Eye of the Tiger," by Survivor; "Surfin' USA;" by the Beach Boys; "Live and Let Die," by Guns N' Roses; "Hot Stuff;" by
Donna Summer; "Roxanne," by the Police; "Thriller," by Michael Jackson; "I Guess That’s Why They Call It the Blues," by Elton John; and "You're the One That I Want," (from Grease), by John Travolta and Olivia Newton-John.

Trump enters the stage to "God Bless the U.S.A.," by Lee Greenwood, and lets the entire song play out as the crowd cheers.

Aurora City Councilwoman Riles Up Crowd

It's Aurora City Councilwoman Danielle Jurinsky's turn to address the crowd. Jurinsky, a vocal opponent of using city funds to support migrant services, considers herself the city's loudest alarm about the alleged Venezuelan gang issues.

"Well, hello, patriots, and welcome to Aurora, Colorado. The Democrats didn't realize that it was going to be little old me out of Aurora, Colorado, exposing the broken immigration system to the entire country."

Jurisnky has appeared on FOX News multiple times to discuss Venezuelan gangs in Aurora, and was on Dr. Phil Primetime earlier this month.

"These photos are not a figment of my imagination," she says at today's rally, adding that police officers told her about Venezuelan prison gangs taking over the city — although the Aurora Chief of Police has denied that is the case. "I have never met a police officer in my life who is scared of code violations....I witnessed it with my own two eyes. I saw how these people were living, in my own hometown."

"They came through Denver, and Denver had better start to keep to themselves," she says to cheers. "The time of Denver controlling the entire state, these days are over!"

The cheers are wilder, and Jurisnky is going deeper, calling out Colorado Governor Jared Polis for "shutting my business down" and inspiring her to run for local office.

"Jared Polis decided to shut my businesses down. But he didn't realize that when he shut my business down, he woke me up. So I decided to run, to represent my hometown."

After Jurinsky comes Aurora resident Cindy Romero, whose door-camera footage from August 18 captured six armed men walking through the halls of an apartment building. The video went viral later that month and spurred national headlines of a takeover of the building, and city, by Venezuelan gangs, although their connection to specific gangs remain unknown and city and police officials have both denied the gang takeover claims.

Romero calls Jurinsky back up. "I'm going to do this with the person who saved my life. ...I've met a lot of heroes in America, so many in this room," she says. "I was a lifetime Democrat. I'm ashamed to say I thought this was a solution. Being called a liar has changed me, changed my opinions. I am tired of the gaslighting. It's time for someone to admit there's a problem and to fix it."

Lauren Boebert Hits the Stage

Gabe Evans, the Republican candidate for the 8th Congressional district, has taken the stage — contrary to all the people who thought he wouldn't want to risk his tight-tight race against incumbent Yadira Caraveo by linking with Trump. "I was born in Aurora, I grew up in Colorado. ...I served twelve years in the U.S. Army," he says, starting a condemnation of Colorado for its crimes. "We have got to put a stop to that. I am fighting back as hard as I can. ...God bless you all for coming, and God bless America."

Congresswoman Lauren Boebert comes up next, firing off bad jokes and insulting 9News anchor Kyle Clark, whom she's verbally sparred with in the past. Clark is in the crowd.

"Patriots! Are you ready to see god's glory? Are you ready for President Donald J. Trump back into the White House?" Boebert says. "I was going to start this off with a joke, but Kamala Harris beat me to it. She is the joke."

Colorado Democrats Denounce Trump's Visit

Some of Colorado's top Democrats denounced Trump's visit, telling voters not to believe stories about Venezuelan gang takeovers during a press conference at Aurora's Stanley Marketplace hours before Trump's campaign speech.

"Former president Trump doesn't seem to care who he hurts with his rhetoric," Governor Jared Polis said. "We hope we can turn lemons into lemonade and really show how incredible Aurora is in the national limelight."

In front of posters promoting The Harris-Walz presidential campaign, Polis spoke alongside Colorado Senators John Hickenlooper and Michael Bennet as well as House Representatives Jason Crow and Diana DeGette. Polis said that they "welcome the eyes of the nation," reassuring all that "Aurora is a safe place to live, a safe, vibrant, wonderful place," noting that it's the fastest-growing city in Colorado.

Colorado GOP Chair Dave Williams Is Having a Big Day

Dave Williams is having a big day. In fact, he's having a very big month. The controversial chair of the Colorado Republican Party — an avid supporter of Donald Trump and an equally avid election denier — just survived an attempt to oust him as the party chair. He got up early to drive up from El Paso County and arrived while the crowds were still waiting to be admitted. According to the nattily-dressed Williams, he's on tap to deliver "welcoming remarks."

"It's a big day for the Republicans," he adds.

Many more top GOPs will join him as the morning goes on; Lauren Boebert is already in the house.

Dave Williams takes the stage shortly after 11. "They're going to cheat," he says, pointing to the crowd. "The press is here. Let them know what you think of them."

Boos, big boos. Then, after urging everyone to give Trump a welcome, he ends with "Fight, fight, fight!"

The Gaylord Gets Ready for Donald Trump Rally

There are no Venezuelan gangs in sight at the Gaylord Rockies Resort & Convention Center, which is located near Denver International Airport and bills itself as a "family-friendly hotel." It's also a major setting for business meetings, and the giant facility is packed with kids running around in towels and name-tagged conventioneers here for a concrete industry expo surprised to find themselves in the middle of a political event. But as the lines to get into the rally started forming at dawn (doors opened at 9 a.m.), the MAGA outfits became omnipresent.

Many Trump supporters booked rooms at the Gaylord, not just so they could skip the inevitable traffic jam this morning: There's only a single, two-lane road leading to this massive place out on the plains, which is a dozen miles from the Aurora apartment complexes housing the Venezuelan immigrants who are the focus of Trump's ire.

But while there are no actual Venezuelan gangs at the Gaylord, there are plenty of pictures of purported members of the Tren de Aragua gang on the stage.