Overview

• During Friday’s briefing, Bianca Gracia of Latinos for Trump called for a “siesta fiesta” on the South Lawn after the White House postponed its Hispanic Heritage Month event because of the partial government shutdown.
• Gracia accused Democrats of choosing undocumented immigrants over hardworking Hispanic Americans and linked that charge to the event’s postponement.
• Press secretary Karoline Leavitt responded that she had never met Gracia and said she was surprised by the question.
• Leavitt said she cannot promise use of the South Lawn due to construction and added the Hispanic Heritage celebration would return to planning once the government reopens.
• Coverage noted Gracia’s claim that Hispanics “overwhelmingly” backed Trump in 2024 conflicts with Pew data indicating the Democratic nominee won more Hispanic votes.