Donald Trump’s first television ad of the general election campaign plays up the themes of immigration and national security and says in contrast to Hillary Clinton, Mr. Trump can be counted on for “change that makes America safe again.”
“In Hillary Clinton’s America, the system stays rigged against Americans,” a narrator says in the 30-second ad released Friday.
“Syrian refugees flood in. Illegal immigrants convicted of committing crimes get to stay,” the ad says. Collecting Social Security benefits, skipping the line. Our border open. It’s more of the same, but worse.”
In contrast, the ad says, Mr. Trump’s America is “secure,” with terrorists and dangerous criminals kept out.
“Change that makes America safe again,” the narrator says, playing off Mr. Trump’s campaign slogan of “Make America great again.”
The Trump campaign said the ad is part of a $4.8 million buy over the next 10 days in the battleground states of Florida, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and North Carolina.
Mr. Trump has made a stiff crackdown on illegal immigration a cornerstone of his campaign, and he has frequently criticized both Mrs. Clinton and President Obama for their plans to accept Syrian refugees.
At the beginning of the ad, there is a clip of a person walking past a “vote here” sign with the words “system rigged” on the screen.
Mr. Trump has said he thinks the fall election might be “rigged” and said last week that the only way he can lose Pennsylvania is if cheating goes on.
He encouraged supporters at a recent rally in the state to monitor the polls on Election Day to make sure there’s no funny business.
• David Sherfinski can be reached at dsherfinski@washingtontimes.com.
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