Hung Cao , the Virginia Republican U.S. Senate candidate, had several viral moments during his debate with Sen. Tim Kaine . One notable exchange occurred when he commented on Kaine's understanding of mathematics, advising his opponent to avoid challenging Asians on the subject.
Cao criticised Kaine while addressing a question about the International Longshoremen’s Association strike on the East Coast, attributing the strike to economic struggles and asserting that only specific groups, such as illegal immigrants, criminals, and political elites, are better off now compared to when Donald Trump was in office. Cao remarked that the economy affects everyone in the same way, and it was for this reason that the ILA had gone on strike, questioning whether people were better off now than four years ago.
He further claimed that the United States spends a billion dollars each day to house and feed illegal immigrants, while expressing his intention to ensure that graduates, such as those from Norfolk State University , have a promising future. Reflecting on his own experiences, Cao, whose family fled Vietnam just before the fall of Saigon in 1975, stressed the importance of assimilation for those seeking the American Dream, stating that his family waited seven years for citizenship. He also emphasised that illegal immigration harms those trying to enter the U.S. legally.
Later in the debate, Cao elaborated on his stance, arguing that illegal immigration disrupts the system and disadvantages those patiently waiting for their naturalisation papers. He likened it to jumping a queue at a store and warned against doing so. Another of his viral moments included a humorous rebuttal to Kaine’s legislative record, where Cao said there are two universal truths: never entering Target in a red shirt and never challenging Asians on mathematics.
Cao also criticised the U.S. Navy for using a drag queen in recruitment efforts, arguing that the military needs individuals with a more aggressive, warrior-like mentality, a statement that drew applause from the audience.
Who is Hung Cao?
Hung Cao, a former Navy Captain and the son of Vietnamese refugees, is challenging Tim Kaine in the Virginia Senate race, endorsed by Donald Trump. Cao, whose family fled Vietnam on one of the last flights out of Saigon, has centred his campaign around his personal history, contrasting it with what he views as the current state of the United States. In a notable campaign ad, he dramatically strikes a desk, stating it’s the “scariest sound you will hear in a communist country,” emphasising his message that America is on the verge of decline.
Cao has gained attention for his strong alignment with Trump, who publicly praised him at a Vietnamese commercial centre, describing him as a "great gentleman" with a memorable name. Trump expressed confidence in Cao’s ability to win, urging the Vietnamese community to rally behind him. Despite this high-profile endorsement, Cao’s campaign has faced criticism for its low visibility, with limited public appearances and reluctance to engage in debates.
Cao’s positions closely mirror Trump’s, focusing on issues such as inflation, border security, and the Second Amendment. However, his campaign has been described as lacking direction, with critics labelling him an “unknown extremist” due to some controversial remarks, including referring to Staunton as "Podunk" and drawing comparisons between abortion and the Holocaust. His limited social media following and low-profile strategy have raised concerns about his ability to connect with Virginia voters.
The Senate race is crucial for Republicans, as they need to flip only two seats to gain control. Despite the importance of the contest, Cao faces a significant financial disadvantage, having raised $3.1 million compared to Kaine's $16 million. Polls currently show Kaine with a strong lead of 53% to Cao's 41%.
While Cao has received backing from notable Republicans, including Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin, his campaign’s heavy reliance on Trump’s endorsement and tactics may not be enough to overcome the challenges posed by Kaine’s experience and established support base.
Cao criticised Kaine while addressing a question about the International Longshoremen’s Association strike on the East Coast, attributing the strike to economic struggles and asserting that only specific groups, such as illegal immigrants, criminals, and political elites, are better off now compared to when Donald Trump was in office. Cao remarked that the economy affects everyone in the same way, and it was for this reason that the ILA had gone on strike, questioning whether people were better off now than four years ago.
CAPT Cao: “There's two truths in the world….Never walk into Target store wearing a red shirt and never go against an Asian when it comes to math.” pic.twitter.com/JCYXUCDRmc
— Hung Cao (@HungCao_VA) October 3, 2024
CAPT Cao: “When you're using a drag queen...to recruit for the Navy, that's not the people we need. What we need is alpha males and alpha females who are going to rip out their own guts, eat them and ask for seconds." pic.twitter.com/1sCSZ8AZVh
— Hung Cao (@HungCao_VA) October 2, 2024
CAPT Cao: “Ask yourself, are you better off today than you were four years ago? Across the board, the answer is no. The only people better off today than they were four years ago are illegal aliens, criminals and senators like Senator Tim Kaine.” pic.twitter.com/Z436mf7087
— Hung Cao (@HungCao_VA) October 2, 2024
He further claimed that the United States spends a billion dollars each day to house and feed illegal immigrants, while expressing his intention to ensure that graduates, such as those from Norfolk State University , have a promising future. Reflecting on his own experiences, Cao, whose family fled Vietnam just before the fall of Saigon in 1975, stressed the importance of assimilation for those seeking the American Dream, stating that his family waited seven years for citizenship. He also emphasised that illegal immigration harms those trying to enter the U.S. legally.
They asked Hung Cao if he supports mass deportations as an immigrant himself, and his answer was FLAWLESS
— George (@BehizyTweets) October 3, 2024
"To anybody who wants to come here, don't ask for an American dream if you're not willing to obey American laws and embrace the American culture, because I did." 🔥
Cao's… pic.twitter.com/MtyIqac7gm
Later in the debate, Cao elaborated on his stance, arguing that illegal immigration disrupts the system and disadvantages those patiently waiting for their naturalisation papers. He likened it to jumping a queue at a store and warned against doing so. Another of his viral moments included a humorous rebuttal to Kaine’s legislative record, where Cao said there are two universal truths: never entering Target in a red shirt and never challenging Asians on mathematics.
Cao also criticised the U.S. Navy for using a drag queen in recruitment efforts, arguing that the military needs individuals with a more aggressive, warrior-like mentality, a statement that drew applause from the audience.
Who is Hung Cao?
Hung Cao, a former Navy Captain and the son of Vietnamese refugees, is challenging Tim Kaine in the Virginia Senate race, endorsed by Donald Trump. Cao, whose family fled Vietnam on one of the last flights out of Saigon, has centred his campaign around his personal history, contrasting it with what he views as the current state of the United States. In a notable campaign ad, he dramatically strikes a desk, stating it’s the “scariest sound you will hear in a communist country,” emphasising his message that America is on the verge of decline.
Cao has gained attention for his strong alignment with Trump, who publicly praised him at a Vietnamese commercial centre, describing him as a "great gentleman" with a memorable name. Trump expressed confidence in Cao’s ability to win, urging the Vietnamese community to rally behind him. Despite this high-profile endorsement, Cao’s campaign has faced criticism for its low visibility, with limited public appearances and reluctance to engage in debates.
Cao’s positions closely mirror Trump’s, focusing on issues such as inflation, border security, and the Second Amendment. However, his campaign has been described as lacking direction, with critics labelling him an “unknown extremist” due to some controversial remarks, including referring to Staunton as "Podunk" and drawing comparisons between abortion and the Holocaust. His limited social media following and low-profile strategy have raised concerns about his ability to connect with Virginia voters.
The Senate race is crucial for Republicans, as they need to flip only two seats to gain control. Despite the importance of the contest, Cao faces a significant financial disadvantage, having raised $3.1 million compared to Kaine's $16 million. Polls currently show Kaine with a strong lead of 53% to Cao's 41%.
While Cao has received backing from notable Republicans, including Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin, his campaign’s heavy reliance on Trump’s endorsement and tactics may not be enough to overcome the challenges posed by Kaine’s experience and established support base.
