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Hung Cao: Drag Queens and Asian Mathematics: Viral Moments from Hung Cao's Debate Against Tim Kaine | World News

U.S. Sen. Tim Kaine of Virginia, left, debates Republican challenger Hung Cao at Norfolk State University on Wednesday, Oct. 2, 2024, in Norfolk, Virginia. (Nextstar/WAVY-TV via AP, pool)

Hung Caothe Virginia republican The U.S. Senate candidate had several viral moments during his debate with the senator. Tim Kaine. A notable exchange occurred when he commented on Kaine's understanding of mathematics and advised his opponent to avoid challenging Asians on the subject.
Cao criticized Kaine while answering a question about it International Dockers' Association strike on the East Coast, attributing the strike to economic struggles and claiming that only certain groups such as illegal immigrants, criminals and political elites are better off now than when Donald Trump was in office. Cao noted that the economy affects everyone in the same way, and that was why the ILA had gone on strike, questioning whether people are better off today than they were four years ago.

He further claimed that the United States spends a billion dollars every day on housing and feeding illegal immigrants, while expressing his intention to ensure that graduates such as: Norfolk State Universityhave a promising future. Reflecting on his own experiences, Cao, whose family fled Vietnam shortly before the fall of Saigon in 1975, emphasized the importance of assimilation for those seeking the American dream, explaining that his family waited seven years for citizenship have. He also highlighted illegal immigration harms those attempting to enter the United States legally.

Later in the debate, Cao explained his position, arguing that illegal immigration disrupts the system and disadvantages those who patiently wait for their naturalization papers. He compared it to skipping a line at a store and warned against it. Among his other viral moments was a humorous rebuttal of Kaine's legislative work, in which Cao said there were two universal truths: never walk into Target in a red shirt and never challenge Asians in math.
Cao also criticized this US Navy for using a drag queen in recruiting efforts and argued that the military needed individuals with a more aggressive, warrior mentality, a statement that drew applause from the audience.
Who is Hung Cao?
Hung Cao, a former Navy captain and son of Vietnamese refugees, challenges Tim Kaine Virginia Senate Race supported by Donald Trump. Cao, whose family fled Vietnam on one of the last flights from Saigon, focused his campaign on his personal history and contrasted it with what he sees as the current state of the United States. In one remarkable campaign ad, he dramatically bangs on a desk and claims it is the “most horrifying sound you will hear in a communist country,” underscoring his message that America is on the brink of decline.
Cao has drawn attention for his strong alignment with Trump, who publicly praised him at a Vietnamese trade center and described him as a “great gentleman” with a memorable name. Trump expressed confidence that Cao can win and urged the Vietnamese community to rally behind him. Despite this high-profile support, Cao's campaign was criticized for its low visibility, limited public appearances and reluctance to participate in debates.
Cao's positions largely mirror those of Trump, focusing on issues such as inflation, border security and the Second Amendment. However, his campaign has been described as directionless and critics have labeled him an “unknown extremist” due to some controversial statements, including calling Staunton a “podunk” and comparing abortion to 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 because they only need to flip two seats to gain control. Despite the importance of the competition, Cao faces a significant financial disadvantage, having raised $3.1 million compared to $16 million for Kaine. Polls currently show Kaine with a significant lead of 53% to Cao's 41%.
Although Cao has received support from notable Republicans, including Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin, his campaign's heavy reliance on Trump's support and tactics may not be enough to overcome the challenges posed by Kaine's experience and established support base.