Trump Cheers Justo Betancourt’s Release From Trump’s Alligator Alcatraz—Sparking Confusion

BreakingBusinessTrump Cheers Justo Betancourt’s Release From Trump’s Alligator Alcatraz—Sparking ConfusionByAlison Durkee,Forbes Staff. Alison is a senior news reporter covering US politics and legal news.Follow AuthorJun 01, 2026, 10:54am EDTToplinePresident Donald Trump on Sunday celebrated the release of Cuban immigrant Justo Betancourt from the “Alligator Alcatraz” detention center—which happened weeks ago—sparking confusion about why the president would cheer for a man who was set free from his own administration’s detainment.Vehicles head to the exit of the immigration detention facility known as "Alligator Alcatraz" in the Florida Everglades.SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty ImagesKey FactsTrump told Betancourt, “Welcome home,” in a Truth Social post on Sunday night, noting Betancourt’s daughter Ariane “fought very hard to free her father from Alligator Alcatraz” and telling them both to “enjoy your Freedom together!!!”Betancourt, a 54-year-old who immigrated from Cuba, was released from custody on May 14, nearly seven months after he was first detained in October when he showed up to a routine check-in appointment with Immigration and Customs Enforcement.Ariane Betancourt had been fighting for her father’s release—which eventually came because of a court order—and has continued to criticize the Florida “Alligator Alcatraz” detention center and its allegedly abusive conditions, describing her father as being a “shell of himself” upon his release.Trump’s post appeared to come shortly after a CNN segment on the immigrant aired, and his comments have been met with confusion from both supporters and critics.Multiple social media users who appear to be Trump supporters criticized the president on Truth Social for appearing to cheer an immigrant’s release, while critics expressed confusion and questioned Trump’s motivation for his post.The White House has not yet responded to a request for comment on the post. if (!window.cnxel) { window.cnxel = {}; windo...