Former President Donald Trump found amusement in the name of Virginia Senate candidate Hung Cao during a campaign stop in the candidate’s home state. “This is a great gentleman. I love his name: Hung Cao,” Trump, 78, remarked at a Virginia restaurant alongside Cao, who arrived in the state as a refugee from West Africa following the Vietnam War.
“I love that name. And that name alone can get you elected,” Trump quipped, prompting laughter from patrons and the 52-year-old Cao at the Monday event. “It’s really an honour to be with you,” Trump addressed those gathered at Truong Tien Vietnamese Restaurant in Falls Church. Republican newcomer Cao is set to challenge Democrat Tim Kaine. “Thank you,” he added.
During his speech, Trump contrasted Joe Biden’s perceived laziness with the industrious nature of Vietnamese-Americans while mainly praising Cao, which led to a “U-S-A” chant from the crowd. “I don’t know what it is. You’ll have to explain it. But the Vietnamese community loves me, and I love them,” Trump told supporters at the Eden Center in Falls Church on Monday morning.
Trump pops into a Vietnamese spot in VA, gets a MAGA chant going, and hypes up local candidate Hung Cao.
Trump supports the Vietnamese community 🇻🇳 pic.twitter.com/N0Lc85opAI
— Robert (@BotanicalGalaxy) August 26, 2024
Regarding Cao, he said, “We think he’s got a very good chance of winning for the Senate. And I really believe it. “I hope your community gets out and really supports him, like 100 percent,” he urged. “Because you can win. You can win. Definitely win. And we’re looking to win the state. And I think we will win the state.”
Cao, a retired Navy captain who came to the US in the 70s, then addressed the crowd in both Vietnamese and English. “I’m so honoured to represent the Vietnamese-American community. Next year is the 50th anniversary of the fall of Saigon,” he said, referring to the capture of South Vietnam’s capital by North Vietnam and the Viet Cong on April 30, 1975.
“And we’ll have the first Vietnamese American U.S. senator on the anniversary,” he stated. Trump lauded Cao, who has been active in the Purcellville community and church since moving there. “More importantly [than his name], actually,” Trump said of Cao, “he’s tremendous.
“He ran a great primary campaign. I endorsed him very early and he did very well. “We’re looking at polls that are showing us with a lead in this state, which is traditionally not necessarily for Republicans,” Trump noted. “But I’m not the average Republican… and neither are you.”
Cao, a father of five, will face Kaine in November. Currently, Kaine maintains a substantial lead. However, as Trump suggested, the situation could change. Cao promotes himself as a moderate conservative with Christian values and a former veteran who served in the US military.
Cao’s military service began shortly after his arrival in the US as a child following the fall of Saigon in 1975. During the event, Trump contrasted Biden’s alleged laziness with the hard-working Vietnamese community, saying, “We are the closest to World War III we’ve ever been. And we have a man who just took a vacation in California and he came back today.”
Trump took jabs at Biden, commenting, “Where’s he going?” a bit over a month since Biden dropped out of the presidential race. “Delaware — another vacation, he’s going another week,” Trump added with Cao beside him. “That’s not the Vietnamese — they’re hard-working.”
The former president then signed autographs and spoke with patrons, with Cao accompanying him. “Make America Great Again!” one restaurant-goer shouted in a thick Vietnamese accent, eliciting a smile and laugh from Trump.
Trump is set to face Vice President Kamala Harris in November.
What Other Media Are Saying
- Mediaite reports on Trump praising Republican Senate candidate Hung Cao, saying his name alone could win an election, while discussing the Vietnamese community’s support and political chances.(read more)
- The Hill reports that Hung Cao, backed by Donald Trump, has won the Virginia Senate GOP primary to challenge Sen. Tim Kaine. Cao, a retired Navy Captain, faces a challenging road against Kaine’s double-digit lead.(read more)
- NBC4 Washington provides an overview of the Virginia Senate Republican primary, highlighting Hung Cao’s projected win and his emphasis on border security and immigration policy.(read more)
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are some common questions asked about this news
What did Trump say about Hung Cao’s name?
Trump expressed amusement and said he loved the name Hung Cao.
Who is Hung Cao?
Hung Cao is a Virginia Senate candidate, retired Navy captain, and Vietnamese American.
What did Trump say about Joe Biden?
Trump criticized Biden for being lazy and taking vacations, contrasting him with hardworking Vietnamese people.
How did the crowd react to Trump’s comments about Hung Cao?
The crowd, including Hung Cao, laughed and showed support during Trump’s comments.
What did Trump say about the Vietnamese community?
Trump claimed that the Vietnamese community loves him, and he loves them.