Trump isn't trying to win people of color, he's trying to convince white people he isn't racist

Donald Trump is flailing on immigration, trying to balance his bloodthirsty xenophobia that got him here, and the fact that the people who “got him here” aren’t big enough to get him to 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue. 

Let’s be clear about one thing: Trump doesn’t give a rat’s ass whether brown people vote for him. In his world, they exist for two reasons: cheap labor for his properties and businesses, and a convenient boogeyman to rile up his core supporters. 

[Trump] believes that a more measured approach on race can convince white voters now shunning him - especially women - that he is not the racist that his inflammatory rhetoric might indicate.

Trump’s problem is this, from an AP poll back in July:

How well does the word "Racist" describe "Donald Trump"

Very Well	35
Somewhat Well	15
Slightly Well	15
Not at all Well	32

In other words, half of Americans think Trump is racist, and that goes up to 2/3rds of Americans when considering those who think he is at least “slightly” racist. And no matter how bad race relations may be in this country, no one likes an overt bigot. 

Yet … every time he makes a hint of a conciliatory gesture, his crazy base goes nuts...

Coulter is publishing a book literally called "In Trump We Trust"... & says she cld cancel book tour because of shifting immigration stance.

— Taniel (@Taniel) August 24, 2016

 … hence, we see the big current mass of jelly that is Trump, cancelling immigration speeches and flailing between trying to show his non-racist side while his core supporters demand even more racism. But no one kid ourselves—this is and always has been about Trump’s efforts to appeal to his core base—white people. Nothing more, nothing less.