Trump meets with Hispanic advisers

New council to help focus his message

STAFFORD, Va. — Donald Trump met with his new Hispanic advisory board in New York Saturday, sitting down with elected officials, business leaders and faith leaders, along with his new campaign team.

The National Hispanic Advisory Council for Trump, as it is officially called, is looking to help Trump focus his message, as well as assist with the campaign’s Hispanic outreach.

But winning over Hispanic voters will not be easy for the Republican nominee. He launched his campaign with a speech that accused Mexico of illegally sending rapists and criminals across the border, and has vowed to deport the estimated 11 million people living in the country illegally.

That message has not resonated well with many minority voters.

Helen Aguirre Ferré, director of Hispanic communications for the RNC, called the meeting a “game-changing” opportunity.

Republican National Committee Chairman Reince Priebus said in a statement that the group’s participation “is just one component of our expansive effort to engage the Hispanic community, and their contributions will help us compete for every vote ... all the way through Election Day.”

Trump has also been working to boost his appeal among African-American voters following a shake-up in his campaign management after falling poll numbers quickly prompted changes to his campaigning tactics.

Later Saturday, Trump traveled to Virginia, where he met with officers and detectives in the Stafford County Sheriff’s Office.

Trump was scheduled to hold a rally in nearby Fredericksburg, Va., later Saturday.