President Donald Trump visited South Florida Monday and heard Cuban-American business owners heap praise on him for his $1.5 trillion tax cut package.
The invitation-only event, billed as "USA Open for Business,'' drew a few hundred people to Bucky Dent Park in Hialeah. Several Cuban-American business owners praised Trump's tax reform package for making their companies more profitable and therefore able to hire more employees.
"The economic impact of this is tremendous," said Jose Mallea, owner of Biscayne Bay Craft Brewery, who joined Trump on stage along with several other business owners.
Mallea said the tax reform law's specific cuts to alcohol excise taxes is beneficial to his brewery. He added that additional benefits in the tax packages have allowed him to purchase $100,000 more in equipment and hire two new employees.
Lowell Dunn echoed that assessment. "I think it's a great thing for the country, a great thing for all of our other businesses as well," said Dunn. "Real estate construction, garbage, and oil and gas."
Protesters also gathered outside the event holding signs critical of Trump.
Inside, Trump said the tax-cut package, the first legislative win of his presidency, will have a wide-ranging impact on the economy and everyday workers in communities like Hialeah.
"All of the people of Hialeah, you are a spectacular people," Trump said. "A hard working people. I love you."
Hialeah is one of South Florida's major Cuban-American enclaves, and many voters there supported Trump in the 2016 election.
Maximo Alvarez, left, CEO of Sunshine Distributor, who was transplanted to Miami via Operation Pedro Pan praised the @realDonaldTrump for his tax cuts today in #Hialeah @WLRN pic.twitter.com/er9lSrRbxj— Leslie Ovalle (@Ovalle_LJ) April 16, 2018
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