At the unveiling of a new immigration detention facility in Florida’s Everglades – dubbed “Alligator Alcatraz” – Donald Trump praised the controversial site while making a series of bizarre claims. Built in just eight days, the centre is surrounded by swampland inhabited by alligators, which Mr Trump jokingly referred to as unpaid security guards. The former US president, joined by Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, toured the prison and addressed media crews in a rambling press conference marked by odd digressions.
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Trump’s comments ranged from immigration enforcement to personal grievances about household appliances. Joking about the facility’s location, he claimed inmates would be trained to escape alligators by running in a zigzag pattern. Despite previous tensions, he described his current relationship with Mr DeSantis as a “nine out of ten,” a notable departure from their earlier rivalry during the Republican primaries.
In a further unexpected moment, Trump lauded Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem’s horse riding skills, suggesting they made her particularly well-suited for the job. Ms Noem, speaking at the same event, described an alarming anecdote involving a migrant detainee who, she claimed, attempted to eat himself while awaiting deportation. She presented this incident as evidence of the type of “deranged individuals” the new detention centre is meant to hold.
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The press conference also veered into a lengthy monologue about water pressure and domestic appliances, with Mr Trump criticising President Biden’s regulatory approach. “We have so much water, it comes down from heaven,” he stated. While the visit was meant to focus on immigration policy, the event instead drew attention to Trump’s trademark theatrics, raising fresh questions about the tone and priorities of his ongoing campaign.