Listen to the article
Immigration Ad Against GOP Candidate Falsely Claims He Criticized Trump Policies
A political advertisement targeting North Carolina state Senate candidate Sam Page has come under scrutiny for misleadingly suggesting the Republican sheriff criticized President Donald Trump’s immigration policies, despite evidence showing the claims are taken out of context.
The advertisement, funded by the NC True Conservatives political action committee, attempts to sway voters in North Carolina’s 26th Senate District to support incumbent Senate leader Phil Berger over Page, the Rockingham County Sheriff, in the GOP primary.
The ad correctly states that Trump endorsed Berger, partly due to his support for Trump’s immigration policies. However, it then claims Page “got busted calling Trump’s plan unrealistic” and features a brief clip from what it labels a “leaked video” where Page says: “It is unrealistic to assume that 12 to 14 million people will just leave the United States.”
What the ad fails to mention is that Page made these comments in 2012 – years before Trump announced his first presidential run and long before Trump had articulated any immigration plan as a candidate or president. The ad also deceptively edits Page’s complete remarks.
In the full 2012 video, Page was actually reading from a National Sheriffs’ Association position paper on immigration reform. The complete context shows Page advocating for stronger border security measures, including additional ICE agents, Border Patrol personnel, and increased funding for enforcement programs.
“On the pathway to legal employment and legal status, the National Sheriffs’ Association does, at this point and time, strongly oppose outright amnesty for those individuals currently here illegally,” Page said in the complete video. “Amnesty does not work. However, it is unrealistic to assume that 12 to 14 million people will just leave the United States if asked. A plausible solution must be developed.”
When confronted with this evidence, NC True Conservatives spokesman Lawrence Shaheen defended the ad, citing a 2012 Winston-Salem Journal article where Page reportedly said mass deportations would not be effective and that “you can’t just deport 14 million people.” Page maintains he was likely relaying the sheriffs’ association’s position rather than expressing personal views.
Far from opposing Trump’s immigration stance, Page’s record shows consistent support for tough immigration policies. He co-founded “Sheriffs for Trump” in 2016, testified before Congress about border security in 2015, and was among sheriffs invited to the White House in 2017 to praise Trump’s agenda. Page also helped lead Trump’s 2020 campaign in North Carolina and supported legislation requiring county sheriffs to cooperate with federal immigration officers.
Even Trump himself acknowledged Page’s support when endorsing Berger in December, describing Page as an “outstanding” person and longtime supporter. Regional media outlet The Assembly has characterized Page as a law enforcement official who has consistently championed Trump’s anti-immigration agenda.
The Trump administration’s current enforcement strategy includes both self-deportation incentives and a massive enforcement operation. The Department of Homeland Security claims approximately 2.2 million people self-deported during the first year of Trump’s second term, though these figures have faced scrutiny due to limited data transparency.
The administration has offered a $2,600 stipend to immigrants who self-deport while warning that those who don’t will face arrest and permanent exclusion from the United States. Trump has invested billions to hire immigration agents for what his administration describes as the “largest domestic deportation operation in American history.”
Page’s campaign attorneys sent a cease-and-desist letter to NC True Conservatives, but the group declined to remove the advertisement, maintaining their interpretation of Page’s comments despite the clear timeline discrepancy and contextual evidence.
Given that Page’s comments predated Trump’s political career by several years and were clearly part of a broader policy discussion, the advertisement’s central claim that Page criticized Trump’s immigration plan is demonstrably false.
Fact Checker
Verify the accuracy of this article using The Disinformation Commission analysis and real-time sources.
16 Comments
This highlights the importance of getting the full story before drawing conclusions. Context and nuance are key when it comes to sensitive political issues like immigration reform. I’m curious to hear more balanced analysis from experts on both sides.
Agreed, cherry-picking quotes can be misleading. It’s good that the sheriff is willing to share his views, even if they diverge from the administration’s position. A diversity of perspectives is healthy for public discourse.
The sheriff’s comments about the practical feasibility of mass deportation seem reasonable. While border security is important, the human and logistical realities have to be carefully considered. I’m interested to see how the debate around immigration evolves.
Absolutely, a thoughtful, fact-based approach is crucial when it comes to such a complex and sensitive issue. I appreciate the sheriff’s willingness to voice his concerns, even if they differ from the administration’s stance.
The sheriff raises some valid logistical concerns about mass deportation, even if his comments predate Trump’s specific plan. Immigration reform is a complex issue with valid arguments on multiple sides. I hope to see a thoughtful, fact-based public discourse on the topic.
Agreed, it’s important to avoid cherry-picking quotes and look at the full context. While border security is important, the human and practical realities of immigration policy need to be carefully considered. I appreciate the sheriff’s willingness to share his perspective.
It’s concerning to see political ads taking quotes out of context. Fact-checking and nuanced discussion are essential, especially on divisive issues like immigration. I’m curious to hear more analysis from experts on the merits and challenges of different policy proposals.
Agreed, the use of selective quotes in political ads is worrying. It’s important to consider the full context and evolution of policy proposals, rather than relying on sound bites. Balanced, evidence-based debate is key.
Interesting to see the sheriff’s perspective on Trump’s immigration plan. Immigration is a complex issue with valid concerns on all sides. It’s good to hear different views and fact-check claims before jumping to conclusions.
Agreed, the ad seems to take the sheriff’s comments out of context. It’s important to look at the full context before assessing the merits of any policy proposal.
The sheriff’s perspective on the practical feasibility of mass deportation seems worth considering, even if his comments predate Trump’s specific plan. Immigration is a complex issue with valid concerns on multiple sides. Fact-checking and nuanced discussion are essential for informing public policy.
Agreed, it’s worrying to see political ads cherry-picking quotes. Balanced, evidence-based debate is crucial, especially on sensitive topics like immigration reform. I appreciate the sheriff’s willingness to share his views, even if they differ from the administration’s stance.
This highlights the need for nuanced, fact-based discussion on sensitive political issues like immigration. While border security is a valid concern, the sheriff’s comments on the logistical challenges of mass deportation seem reasonable. I’m curious to see how the debate evolves.
Absolutely, taking quotes out of context in political ads is concerning. It’s crucial to look at the full picture and consider diverse perspectives when it comes to complex topics like immigration reform. I hope to see more balanced, evidence-based analysis from experts on both sides of the issue.
The sheriff raises a fair point about the logistical challenges of mass deportation. However, Trump’s plan has evolved over time, so it’s worth looking at the latest version. Both security and humanitarian concerns need to be weighed carefully.
True, immigration is a complex and divisive issue. I appreciate the sheriff’s willingness to voice his perspective, even if it differs from the administration’s. Fact-checking and nuanced discussion are crucial.