Former President Donald Trump appeared amused by the name of Virginia Senate candidate Hung Cao during a campaign rally in the politician’s home state.
“This is a great gentleman. I like his name: Hung Cao,” Trump, 78, said at a Virginia restaurant next to the candidate, who moved to the state via West Africa as a refugee after the Vietnam War.
“I love that name. And that name alone can get you elected,” a visibly tickled Trump said at the event on Monday, drawing laughter from patrons, including the 52-year-old Cao.
“It’s truly an honor to be here with you,” Trump told the crowd at Truong Tien Vietnamese restaurant in Falls Church, where the Republican newcomer was poised to face Democrat Tim Kaine, who was standing to his right. “Thank you.”
In a speech in which the former commander in chief also contrasted Joe Biden’s perceived laziness with the hardworking nature of Vietnamese-Americans, Trump sang praises for Cao in particular, eventually leading to chants of “USA.”
“This is a great gentleman. I like his name: Hung Cao,” Trump, 78, said at a Vietnamese restaurant in Virginia next to the Senate candidate, who moved to the state via West Africa as a refugee after the Vietnam War
Cao, a Republican, will face Tim Kaine in the state’s Senate primary in November. Trump, seen here with the candidate during a meeting this year, has emerged as one of his staunchest supporters
“I don’t know what it is. You’re going to have to explain it. But the Vietnamese community loves me, and I love them,” Trump told the crowd of supporters gathered Monday morning at the eatery in the city’s Eden Center.
Of Cao, he said: ‘We think he has a very good chance of winning for the Senate. And I really believe it.
“I hope your community really supports him, 100 percent,” he said.
“Because you can win. You can win. Definitely win. And we want to win the state. And I think we will win the state.”
Cao, a retired Navy captain who came to the U.S. in the 1970s, addressed the crowd in Vietnamese and English.
“I feel honored to represent the Vietnamese-American community. Next year marks the 50th anniversary of the fall of Saigon,” he said of the capture of the capital of South Vietnam by communist North Vietnam and the Viet Cong on April 30, 1975.
“And on the anniversary, we have the first Vietnamese-American senator of the United States,” the Republican said.
Trump, in turn, was very complimentary of the political newcomer, who has been an active member of the community and church since moving to the small town of Purcellville.
“I love that name. And that name alone can get you elected,” a visibly tickled Trump said at the event on Monday, prompting laughter from patrons, including the 52-year-old Cao.
!['Even more important [from his name]](https://i0.wp.com/nybreaking.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/Trump-is-tickled-by-Virginia-senate-GOP-candidates-unique-name.jpeg?resize=634%2C425&ssl=1 "Trump is tickled by Virginia senate GOP candidate's unique name: 'He should get elected on this alone!' 22")
‘Even more important [from his name]”Actually,” Trump said of his Vietnamese-American ally, “he’s great. He ran a great primary campaign. I supported him very early on and he did a very good job.”
‘Even more important [from his name]“Actually,” Trump said of his Vietnamese-American ally, “he’s great.”
“He ran a great primary campaign. I supported him very early on and he did very well.
“We’re looking at polls that show us with a lead in this state, which traditionally isn’t necessarily true for Republicans,” Trump said at one point.
“But I’m not your average Republican… and neither are you.”
Cao, the father of five, is set to face Kaine in November, and at the time of writing, Kaine has a significant lead.
But as Trump indicated, the tide could still turn, as Cao describes himself as a moderate conservative with Christian values and a former veteran who served in the US military.
That period took place shortly after Cao moved to the United States in 1975, after the fall of Saigon. He was still a small child at the time.
At one point in the conversation, Trump contrasted Biden’s perceived laziness with the hardworking Vietnamese people, telling onlookers, “We’ve never been this close to World War III. And we have a guy who just went on vacation to California and came back today.
Cao, a father of five, calls himself a moderate conservative with Christian values, and a former veteran who served in the U.S. Navy.
His tenure began shortly after Cao moved to the United States in 1975 following the fall of Saigon, when he was still a small child.
Trump even lashed out at Joe Biden when he praised the Vietnamese and said, “Where is he going?” just over a month after he dropped out of the race
“Delaware — another vacation, he’s going for another week,” he added, Cao at his side. “Those are not the Vietnamese — they’re hardworking.” Biden and first lady Jill Biden are seen disembarking from Air Force One at Dover Air Force Base ahead of their departure to Rehoboth Beach earlier in the day.
Trump even lashed out at Joe Biden on Monday, saying, “Where is he going?” just over a month after he withdrew from the presidential race.
“Delaware — another vacation, he’s going for another week,” he added, with Cao at his side. “Those aren’t the Vietnamese — they’re hardworking.”
The former president continued to sign autographs and speak extensively to the guests, with Cao at his side the entire time.
“Make America Great Again!” one restaurant guest shouted in a loud Vietnamese chant, prompting laughter from the former president.
Trump will face Vice President Kamala Harris in November.