Trump vows to launch anti-drug ad campaign, designate Mexican cartels as terrorists
SUMMARY
President-elect Donald Trump announced plans to launch an aggressive anti-drug advertising campaign showcasing the physical toll of drugs like fentanyl and reiterated his pledge to designate Mexican drug cartels as terrorist organizations. Speaking at Turning Point USA's AmericaFest in Phoenix, Arizona, Trump stated, "We're going to advertise how bad drugs are for you. They ruin your look, they ruin your face, they ruin your skin, they ruin your teeth." He likened the initiative to a political campaign, promising significant yet relatively modest funding. This effort recalls Nancy Reagan's 1980s "Just Say No" campaign. The fentanyl crisis, a key issue in Trump’s 2024 campaign, has led to an estimated 50,000-60,000 U.S. deaths this year, despite synthetic opioid deaths doubling during his previous administration. Trump also pledged to deploy special forces and cyber warfare against cartels, reviving a shelved 2019 plan to designate them as terrorist groups.
