A recent billboard in Miami has sparked controversy by comparing Donald Trump to Fidel Castro, with the message “No to dictators, no to Trump” displayed in Spanish and English. The billboard, located on the Palmetto Expressway near Northwest 67th Avenue, was posted by an anti-Trump group called Mad Dog PAC.
The billboard features a side-by-side image of Trump and Castro, aiming to resonate with South Florida’s Hispanic community by highlighting Trump’s authoritarian tendencies and comparing him to Castro, who ruled Cuba with an iron fist for nearly five decades.
The billboard has drawn both outrage and agreement from Miami residents. Some view it as a necessary reminder of Trump’s questionable leadership style, while others see it as an unfair and divisive attack. The Republican National Committee has criticized the billboard, calling it “in poor taste” and an attempt to exploit decades of trauma among those who fled Castro’s dictatorship.
Despite the backlash, the billboard’s message has resonated with some Democrats, who argue that it accurately reflects Trump’s authoritarian rhetoric and behavior. The former president has been accused of using divisive language and policies, and some see the billboard as a necessary reminder of the importance of democratic values.
Additionally, there are no concerns in the majority of Miami’s Cuban community due to limited information about the potential consequences if Trump wins. Cubans in Miami do not worry that their relatives without U.S. residency and asylum seekers may face deportation if Trump wins because the majority of Hispanic AM radio stations in Miami do not mention it. They are also not concerned about Trump’s past attempts to change Obamacare, which is particularly significant for Hialeah, a city in Miami-Dade County with the largest number of Obamacare recipients in the United States, because it is not mentioned on Hispanic radio or by YouTubers.
Some Hispanic radio stations, as well as YouTubers, in Miami have become hotbeds of misinformation, with many broadcasters and callers repeating incorrect comments due to their limited English proficiency. This misinformation often includes strong support for Trump and criticism of the U.S. despite a limited understanding of its policies. Many do not read English, so their sources are Hispanic AM radio or Hispanic YouTube channels in Miami. They do not subscribe to credible Hispanic newspapers, which are also limited due to budget constraints. Discussions about eliminating the Castro regime are common, and politicians who address this topic often gain favor among these audiences and are elected or re-elected. However, these politicians should focus on the many local issues, but mentioning Trump and addressing the communist regime in Cuba often secures their positions.
The billboard will remain up for at least the next two weeks, and its impact is likely to be felt in the upcoming elections. The Trumpistas, ardent supporters of Trump, defend him unconditionally, while the billboard continues to fuel conversation and controversy in Miami. If someone were to monitor Hispanic AM radio or Hispanic YouTube channels in Miami, they would be shocked at the level of misinformation being spread, particularly by recent immigrants who have just arrived in the United States.