Donald Trump can’t resist a good plot twist on the campaign trail. After over a year of railing against Mexicans, Mexican-Americans, and just about every other immigrant and minority in the United States, Trump has announced he is heading to Mexico on Wednesday to meet with the country’s president. He tweeted out … oh wait, that’s an iPhone tag … so his campaign staff tweeted out news of the trip late Tuesday. Shortly after, President Enrique Peña Nieto’s official account tweeted out confirmation of the intended visit.
I have accepted the invitation of President Enrique Pena Nieto, of Mexico, and look very much forward to meeting him tomorrow.
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) August 31, 2016
Invité a México a los candidatos a la Presidencia de EEUU, para conversar sobre la relación bilateral. Mañana recibo a Donald Trump.
— Enrique Peña Nieto (@EPN) August 31, 2016
Invité a México a los candidatos a la Presidencia de EEUU, para conversar sobre la relación bilateral. Mañana recibo a Donald Trump.
— Enrique Peña Nieto (@EPN) August 31, 2016
A rough translation of President Nieto’s tweets is that he extended an invitation to both presidential candidates to come visit Mexico, and Trump accepted. Nieto also says that he “believe[s] in dialogue to promote the interests of Mexico in the world and, mainly, to protect Mexicans wherever they are.” Which, by the sounds of things, means that he is at least acutely aware of Trump’s threats against the country’s citizens and the pledge to build a wall on the Mexico-US border.
Importantly, this visit isn’t a meeting between one maligned presidential candidate and a beloved leader of a foreign country. Nieto is polling at just 23% according to Washington Post contributor Gabe Ortíz.
For a little context, EPN is about as unpopular as George W. Bush was during this final year in office. He's mired in scandals.
— Gabe Ortíz (@TUSK81) August 31, 2016
Under the Mexican Constitution, Presidents get one six-year term in office. The public is basically waiting him out.
— Gabe Ortíz (@TUSK81) August 31, 2016
Ramos: Trump using this to appear Presidential & attract Latinos. EPN using this to be seen as defender of Mexico. https://t.co/uEXfdu8AsP
— Gabe Ortíz (@TUSK81) August 31, 2016
From the looks of things, this visit is a photo op for both parties being set up to try and turn the tide of public opinion their way. From the looks of things, the Mexican populace is decidedly unhappy about the development.
The response in Mexico is furious. Did #EPN team expect anything else?
— Elisabeth Malkin (@ElisabethMalkin) August 31, 2016
#EPN makes room in his schedule for a PRIVATE meeting w/ Trump which Trump can then spin any way he wants. What's the plan at Los Pinos?
— Elisabeth Malkin (@ElisabethMalkin) August 31, 2016
Based on the sheer amount of jokes about building the border wall right after Trump crosses the line, US citizens are taking the meeting announcement with a little more levity. Even if it is one of the crazier things that Trump has done during this election cycle. The details of this meeting will surely be interesting to hear about after the fact. That is, if the news even gets wind of what goes down behind closed doors.
https://twitter.com/jbarro/status/770825007190667264
And it looks like Trump will have more company than usual — in the form of former NYC Mayor Rudy Giuliani.
Scoop: Giuliani and Sessions also accompanying Trump to Mexico https://t.co/rJrWTNcRRZ
— Joshua Green (JoshuaGreen.bsky.social on 🟦) (@JoshuaGreen) August 31, 2016
(Via LA Times)