Virginia, USA – On Monday morning, August 26, former US President Donald Trump had a special meeting with the Vietnamese American community at the Eden Center, Virginia. This is part of his election campaign, as he continues his journey to regain the Republican presidential position. Also attending the event was Mr. Hung Cao, a candidate running for the position of federal senator, also of the Republican Party.
The Eden Center, the largest and most popular Vietnamese shopping mall on the East Coast of the United States, was the venue for the event. For the Vietnamese American community, this is not only an economic center but also an important cultural exchange point. Mr. Trump’s appearance here attracted a large number of supporters, especially Vietnamese Americans, who have had a lot of sympathy for him since his years as President.
In his speech to the crowd, Mr. Trump expressed his gratitude for the support from the Vietnamese community. He shared: “I don’t know what that is. Someone needs to explain. But the Vietnamese community loves me, and I love them.” This statement, quoted by FOX5, shows the close relationship Mr. Trump feels with the Vietnamese American community.
Standing next to Mr. Trump was Mr. Hung Cao, a Vietnamese-American with a background in the US Navy, currently running for the position of federal senator representing the state of Virginia. With a strong appearance and a name that is very Vietnamese, Mr. Hung Cao quickly received attention from Mr. Trump.
Trump did not hesitate to praise Hung Cao in his speech: “This is a great gentleman. I love his name, Hung Cao. That name alone should be enough to get him elected to serve.” Trump also expressed confidence that Hung Cao has a great chance to win the Senate race. “We think he has a great chance to win the Senate. And I really believe he will. I hope your community goes out and really supports him, 100%,” Trump emphasized.
Hung Cao, who fled Vietnam as a young boy and sought refuge in the United States, has made a remarkable journey from refugee to U.S. Senate candidate. Speaking in both Vietnamese and English at the Eden Center, he expressed his respect and gratitude to the Vietnamese community.
“I am honored to represent the Vietnamese American community. Next year is the 50th anniversary of the fall of Saigon. And we will have our first Vietnamese American federal senator on that anniversary,” said Hung Cao. His words not only affirmed his personal determination but also conveyed the pride and hope of the entire Vietnamese American community.
Trump and Hung Cao’s meeting at the Eden Center attracted the attention of many American media outlets, including Newsweek, ARLnow, and C-SPAN. ARLnow described the event as a “surprise” visit by former President Trump. Trump not only spoke to the public but also took time to answer questions from the press at Truong Tien Restaurant, a famous Vietnamese restaurant in the area.
Meanwhile, according to Newsweek, Mr. Trump shared about not preparing much for the upcoming debate with Vice President Kamala Harris, scheduled to take place on September 10. He emphasized that he did not need to spend too much time preparing, because he had “prepared for debates his whole life.” Mr. Trump explained: “Basically, you have to be real. You can’t cram 30 years of knowledge into your head in a week… You have to know your subject. And I think I know it better than anybody.”
Before arriving at the Eden Center, Mr. Trump visited Arlington National Cemetery to lay a wreath and pay tribute to the 13 American service members killed in a suicide bombing outside Hamid Karzai International Airport in Kabul, Afghanistan, on August 26, 2021. The event marked the third anniversary of the tragedy, which left the United States grieving and remembering the fallen service members.
Vice President Kamala Harris also issued a statement on the occasion, expressing her condolences to the fallen. “My thoughts and prayers are with their families and loved ones. My heart aches for their pain and loss,” Harris said. President Joe Biden also praised the service members as “patriots in the highest sense” and embodiments of “the best of who we are as a nation: bravery, dedication, selflessness.”
The meeting at the Eden Center was not only an opportunity for Trump and Hung Cao to meet with Vietnamese-American voters, but also to demonstrate their concern for this community. With a significant number of Vietnamese Americans living in Virginia, the support of this community could play an important role in the upcoming election. The election of Hung Cao, a Vietnamese American, to the Senate also marked an important turning point, demonstrating the increasing political influence of the Vietnamese-American community in the United States.
In this context, Mr. Trump’s visit and his strong support for Mr. Hung Cao not only have political significance but also send a message about the unity and strength of the Vietnamese community in the US.