In what was supposed to be a simple Thanksgiving greeting, President Donald J. Trump instead delivered a late-night social media barrage that sent shockwaves across the nation. On November 27, around 11:30 p.m., from his Mar-a-Lago estate, Trump posted a 341-word “Happy Thanksgiving salutation” to “Great American Citizens and Patriots” on Truth Social—but the message veered far from turkey and pumpkin pie.
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Instead, it escalated into a blistering assault on immigration. Trump vowed to “permanently pause” all migration from “Third World countries” and push for “reverse migration” to deport millions. Framed as a holiday greeting, the post painted immigrants as an existential threat, blaming them for crime, welfare drains, and societal decay. The message, featuring shocking slurs against Minnesota Governor Tim Walz and Rep. Ilhan Omar, came just one day after a tragic shooting in Washington, D.C., where two National Guard members—one fatally—were allegedly targeted by an Afghan national.
Trump’s words were stark:
“Only REVERSE MIGRATION can fully cure this situation. Other than that, HAPPY THANKSGIVING TO ALL, except those that hate, steal, murder, and destroy everything that America stands for – You won’t be here for long!”
This is not holiday rhetoric—it’s a blueprint for one of the most sweeping immigration crackdowns in modern U.S. history, building on policies like the 2017 Muslim-majority travel ban. As Americans digest their pies, the question looms: Is this a necessary reset for border security, or a path to economic stagnation, international isolation, and deeper national divisions?
The Spark: A Holiday of Mourning
The timing was deliberate. On November 26, two National Guard troops—20-year-old Sarah Beckstrom from West Virginia and 24-year-old Andrew Wolfe from Ohio—were shot near the White House while patrolling as part of Trump’s expanded urban security deployments. Beckstrom died on Thanksgiving morning; Wolfe remains in critical condition. The suspect, 28-year-old Afghan refugee Lakanwal, was arrested on the scene. Authorities suggest the attack may have been politically motivated, tied to anti-Trump sentiment amid his aggressive deportation campaigns.
Trump quickly linked the incident to immigration failures under President Joe Biden:
“This reminds us that we have no greater national security priority than ensuring full control over who enters and remains in our country.”
Hours later, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced an indefinite pause on all Afghan immigration, echoing Trump’s post.
The Message: Fear, Policy, and Provocation:
In the rant, Trump claimed the U.S. foreign-born population stands at 53 million, most “on welfare, from failed nations, or from prisons, mental institutions, gangs, or drug cartels.” He singled out Somali refugees in Minnesota as “completely taking over” the state and accused Gov. Walz of being “seriously retarded” for inaction. Rep. Omar was labeled a “hateful complainer” wrapped in a “swaddling hijab.” Trump also exaggerated welfare benefits for low-income green-card holders, tapping into public frustration over perceived fiscal burdens.
His proposed agenda is radical:
- Permanently halt migration from “Third World” countries.
- Terminate Biden-era illegal admissions, including those via “Autopen.”
- End federal benefits for noncitizens.
- Denaturalize migrants deemed disruptive or a security risk.
- Deport foreign nationals considered a “public charge” or incompatible with “Western Civilization.”
The goal? A “major reduction in illegal and disruptive populations” through mass reverse migration.
Potential Upsides: Security, Savings, and Sovereignty:
For Trump’s supporters, this isn’t just rhetoric—it’s redemption. Advocates argue:
- Enhanced National Security – The D.C. shooting highlights weaknesses in vetting. Pausing migration from high-risk nations could free resources for better intelligence and border tech. Trump-era data suggests strict pauses can reduce illegal crossings dramatically without collapsing the economy.
- Fiscal Relief – While Trump exaggerates welfare costs, states like Minnesota do spend billions on housing and welfare for refugees. Cutting subsidies and deporting “public charges” could redirect funds to veterans, infrastructure, or tax relief for working-class Americans.
- Social Cohesion – By denaturalizing and deporting “non-compatible” migrants, Trump promises to reverse what he calls Biden’s “open-border fiasco,” reduce urban strain, and restore “domestic tranquility.” For his base, it’s a fight for sovereignty against the “politically correct elites.”
Downsides: Economics, Law, and Ethics:
Critics warn of severe consequences:
- Economic Fallout – Immigrants contribute $2 trillion to GDP annually and fill critical labor shortages. A broad pause could drive food prices up, strain tech sectors, and shrink GDP by 2–6% over a decade. Deporting millions could cost $300–$600 billion, outweighing welfare savings.
- Legal Minefields – Past bans were struck down for discrimination. This policy risks violating immigration law and equal protection clauses, prompting lawsuits from the ACLU and others.
- Moral Reckoning – The rhetoric dehumanizes 53 million foreign-born Americans, echoing historical injustices. In Minnesota, Somali leaders fear the post is a “dog whistle for violence.”
- International Isolation – Allies like Canada and the EU have criticized such policies, threatening trade deals and refugee pacts.
Why Trump Is Doing This:
At its core, this is Trump unfiltered. The D.C. shooting offered a narrative of weak borders, positioning Trump as the hero with an iron fist. Strategically, it also serves his legacy—mass deportations, ending “chain migration,” and delivering on long-deferred promises. Politically, it energizes his base: polls show 55% of Republicans support stricter borders post-shooting. Personally, at 79, Trump is proving doubters wrong and cementing his brand as a historical figure who does “history, not quiet holidays.”
A Nation at the Table:
Thanksgiving is a time for shared gratitude, yet Trump’s message serves grievance over grace. If enacted, his vision could harden borders and hearts, delivering security for some at the expense of prosperity for all. As Beckstrom’s family mourns and Wolfe fights for life, America is left to ponder: Is reverse migration renewal—or regression?
For now, in a deeply divided nation, the turkey tastes a little bitter.
