Trump campaign targets voters of Indian decent

Politico:

Donald Trump’s campaign has launched a five-figure digital ad buy targeting an unlikely voting demographic for Republicans: Indian Americans.

It’s likely the first time a Republican presidential candidate has spent a large amount of money on ads tailored for Indian American voters, according to five people involved in recent Republican presidential campaigns.

The move comes just days after the president flew to India for a political-style rally with over 100,000 cheering fans, earning him wall-to-wall Indian media coverage. But back home, Trump hasn’t polled well with Indian Americans. Still, the group represents a growing voting bloc that registers and votes at high rates, making it a desirable target. And Trump’s team thinks its message on tax cuts and illegal immigration, as well as Trump’s friendship with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, will play well with some Indian Americans.

The ad campaign began Wednesday on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, streaming services and online publishers, according to a senior campaign official. It will run for two weeks.

One Facebook ad features Trump and first lady Melania Trump standing in front of the famed Taj Mahal.

“Indian Americans are titans of business, masters of the arts and innovate technology like few others,” the ad reads. “Your contributions have strengthened our culture and economy. I will always fight for YOU!”

Another says, “America LOVES India,” and features a photo of Trump and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi together. “Our economies have never been better, and the United States is eager to build a strong partnership with India.”

A third features Modi alone and lists education policies the Trump administration backs, including tax breaks to support private- and religious-school scholarships.

Republicans have been trying for years — with limited success — to make inroads with Indian Americans, one of the fastest-growing ethnic groups in the United States. Previous campaigns reached out to the Indian American community, largely through in-person events or literature, but likely didn’t purchase ads specific to the community. Even with some of the president's divisive language and plans on immigration, Trump’s team thinks it has a better chance this year because of Trump’s policies, his outreach efforts and his praise for Modi, who is popular in India.
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Trump's position on immigration also favors people from Idia, because most of them are high functioning and would meet the merit criteria Trump favors for immigration.  They tend to be highly educated and hard workers also.