Donald Trump Gains Infamy in Mexico for Comments on Immigrants
MEXICO CITY — It is the kind of publicity money cannot buy — front-page coverage, segments on the nightly news, the attention of political heavyweights and a stream of commentary burning a hole in the web.
But Donald J. Trump, champion of the so-called birther movement that wrongly questioned President Obama’s birthplace, owner of the Miss Universe contest and developer of hotels bearing his name the world over, has not only found fame in the United States, where he is running for president.
He has also found it in Mexico — or infamy, anyway.
“He’s just ignorant,” said Ricardo Arevala, 18, who works at a piñata shop here, adding that someone recently came into the store looking for a smackable rendition of Mr. Trump. “He speaks in stereotypes.”
While announcing his candidacy to be America’s next president last month, Mr. Trump delivered remarks that ended up echoing across Mexico.
“They are bringing drugs. They are bringing crime. They’re rapists,” Mr. Trump said about Mexican immigrants, adding, “some, I assume, are good people.”
While most presidential candidates are positioning themselves to court the Latino vote, Mr. Trump ignited a firestorm with his statement, managing to galvanize the disparate populations of Mexico, both social and political.
A host of Mexican political notables have lashed out at the remarks, including former President Felipe Calderón.
A company controlled by Carlos Slim, the Mexican telecom magnate — who is much, much richer than Mr. Trump, many Mexicans are quick to point out — cut ties on a joint project with him.
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