Donald Trump denied Tim Kaine a vice-presidential win in 2016 when Kaine ran with Hillary Clinton. Now, Trump has endorsed former Navy Captain Hung Cao to challenge Kaine in Virginia. Cao, whose family took one of the last planes out of Vietnam, has made his story a central theme of his campaign. In a recent viral ad, he dramatically thumps a desk, declaring it’s the “scariest sound you will hear in a communist country.”
Sharing the ad, Cao wrote: “I'm Hung Cao. My family was one of the last to escape Saigon before it fell to the Communists. I know what it's like to lose your country. We are losing ours today. November 5th is Liberation Day . President Trump and I will save America and make it great again.”
Cao created one of Trump’s most viral moments on the campaign trail when they visited a Vietnamese commercial center. Trump addressed the crowd, saying: “I don't know what it is. You'll have to explain it. But the Vietnamese community loves me, and I love them.”
In classic Trump fashion, he continued: “This is a great gentleman. I love his name, Hung Cao. That name alone should get you elected to serve. 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%. 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."
Despite the high-profile endorsement, Cao’s campaign has faced criticism for avoiding debates and maintaining a low profile on the campaign trail. While he echoes Trump’s stances on inflation, border security, and Second Amendment rights, his limited appearances and engagement have raised questions. With a smaller social media following than Kaine’s, Cao's visibility issues are apparent.
Cao’s strategy diverges from previous Republican campaigns, with critics dubbing him an "unknown extremist." His comments referring to Staunton as "Podunk" and comparing abortion to the Holocaust have amplified this perception. Despite these hurdles, Cao continues to rally alongside Trump, Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin , and other Republicans, underscoring his military background and conservative values.
The Senate race is crucial, as Republicans only need to flip two seats to gain control. While Sabato's Crystal Ball rates the contest "Safe Democrat," both candidates are campaigning hard. Kaine, who has held various statewide positions, enjoys a significant financial advantage, raising $16 million to Cao's $3.1 million.
Republicans are taking a major risk with Cao, a Trump-aligned candidate, against Tim Kaine’s bid for a third term. Kaine has faced tougher opponents, like former Governor George Allen in 2012 and Corey Stewart in 2018, both more seasoned than Cao. This time, Cao’s campaign seems adrift, lacking the direction and public presence to connect with Virginia's diverse electorate. Republican insiders, like Chris Saxman, question his approach, suggesting that Cao’s Trump-style campaign may not be enough.
For Kaine, this gamble could be a gift. Polls show him leading 53% to 41%. As Trump’s influence appears to be fading, Cao’s reliance on Trump’s tactics might just make Kaine's path to re-election that much smoother.
Sharing the ad, Cao wrote: “I'm Hung Cao. My family was one of the last to escape Saigon before it fell to the Communists. I know what it's like to lose your country. We are losing ours today. November 5th is Liberation Day . President Trump and I will save America and make it great again.”
Cao created one of Trump’s most viral moments on the campaign trail when they visited a Vietnamese commercial center. Trump addressed the crowd, saying: “I don't know what it is. You'll have to explain it. But the Vietnamese community loves me, and I love them.”
In classic Trump fashion, he continued: “This is a great gentleman. I love his name, Hung Cao. That name alone should get you elected to serve. 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%. 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."
Despite the high-profile endorsement, Cao’s campaign has faced criticism for avoiding debates and maintaining a low profile on the campaign trail. While he echoes Trump’s stances on inflation, border security, and Second Amendment rights, his limited appearances and engagement have raised questions. With a smaller social media following than Kaine’s, Cao's visibility issues are apparent.
Cao’s strategy diverges from previous Republican campaigns, with critics dubbing him an "unknown extremist." His comments referring to Staunton as "Podunk" and comparing abortion to the Holocaust have amplified this perception. Despite these hurdles, Cao continues to rally alongside Trump, Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin , and other Republicans, underscoring his military background and conservative values.
The Senate race is crucial, as Republicans only need to flip two seats to gain control. While Sabato's Crystal Ball rates the contest "Safe Democrat," both candidates are campaigning hard. Kaine, who has held various statewide positions, enjoys a significant financial advantage, raising $16 million to Cao's $3.1 million.
Republicans are taking a major risk with Cao, a Trump-aligned candidate, against Tim Kaine’s bid for a third term. Kaine has faced tougher opponents, like former Governor George Allen in 2012 and Corey Stewart in 2018, both more seasoned than Cao. This time, Cao’s campaign seems adrift, lacking the direction and public presence to connect with Virginia's diverse electorate. Republican insiders, like Chris Saxman, question his approach, suggesting that Cao’s Trump-style campaign may not be enough.
For Kaine, this gamble could be a gift. Polls show him leading 53% to 41%. As Trump’s influence appears to be fading, Cao’s reliance on Trump’s tactics might just make Kaine's path to re-election that much smoother.
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