A Cuban in the United States has sparked a flood of reactions on social media after posting a video where he openly expresses his regret for having voted for Donald Trump and claims that he will never support the Republican Party again.
"Gentlemen, I'm going to tell you something. As the head of my family, I cast six votes for this triple son of a bitch: my mother-in-law, my two children, my wife, and myself," says the user identified as @eldespingao on TikTok.
"In whatever remains of my life or citizenship, whether one or the other, I will never again vote Republican. I will make sure that those six votes, starting with the upcoming midterm elections, are Democratic. I will never play the fool again, you understand?" The Cuban acknowledges his mistake with self-criticism: "I am an idiot, and I recognize it, but I am disgustingly anti-Trump and anti-Republican from here until I die," he assured
The video has generated thousands of reactions on TikTok. Some users praised the honesty of the protagonist. “To correct oneself is a sign of wisdom,” commented one user. “Thank you, brother, for opening our eyes. It’s never too late,” wrote another. “I’m also anti-Trump until death. No more foolishness,” expressed a third. Others pointed out that they feel the same after having voted for the former president, but there were also many who reacted with criticism and mockery. “So now you realize?” commented one. “You voted for him, own it,” replied another. “Now that it’s your turn, you come to complain,” wrote a user from Miami. Some comments were ironic or outright offensive, while others highlighted the evident polarization within the Cuban community in the United States.
This testimony adds to a series of recent stories and testimonials from Cubans in the United States. In January, another Cuban explained on TikTok that he did not vote for Trump because he understands what it means to "want a better future" as a migrant, and warned about the consequences of Republican immigration policies.
In February, a Cuban who brought six family members to the U.S. under humanitarian parole expressed fears of possible deportation. "This is getting out of hand," he confessed. Recently, Mercedes Capaz, mother of Pedro González Capaz, broke down in tears following the arrest and potential deportation of her son, and stated she felt "very betrayed" by Trump.
Criticism has also emerged from activism and journalism. The youtuber Yander Serra harshly criticized Cubans who voted for Trump while their own family members remain stranded at the border. Journalist Mónica Baró also questioned those who are now trying to appear concerned about the consequences of policies they previously supported, labeling that attitude as opportunistic.
These cases include that of Jensy Machado, a naturalized Salvadoran who was unjustly detained by immigration agents. Although he voted for Trump hoping for a stronger economy, he now claims to feel persecuted for being Hispanic and has withdrawn his support for the president.
There are even those who, despite the consequences, stand firm in their position, like the young man whose wife was detained by ICE upon returning from their honeymoon. Although she remains in a detention center, he stated, “I do not regret my vote,” and justified his support by saying, “Trump didn’t create the system.”
The case of the Cuban featured in this video reflects an increasing phenomenon: the internal division among Cuban voters in the United States, many of whom supported Trump but are now questioning the consequences. The rise in deportations, the closure of legal avenues like CBP One, and the end of humanitarian parole have led to a shift in discourse among part of the electorate. The virality of the video indicates that, just a few months before the midterm elections, the political decisions of the Trump administration may directly impact the sentiments, families, and votes of the Cuban community in the United States.
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