I Took Donald Trump To NYC's Latino Monuments

After years of flirting with it, Donald Trump is finally running for president — but his campaign is already alienating great swathes of the American public. Trump keeps dissing Mexico and offending Latinos, pushing them further into the hands of the Democrats. I wanted to see what Trump really thinks about Mexico and Latin America as a whole, so I took my Trump bobblehead to New York City Latino American historical monuments to see what he had to say about the people, culture, and nations.

Our outing had a bumpy start because Trump didn't want to take the grimy subway — I eventually talked him into it, but he refused to sit on the public seats (the beauty of a Trump bobblehead is that he always agrees with you). Since Trump lives in New York, I didn't have to show him all the touristy sites like Times Square and Rockefeller Center, and we jumped right into our Latino tour of the city. First, I had to explain the differences between the terms "Latino," "Hispanic," and "Spanish" to make sure he fully understood the scope of the historic monuments we were about to see and didn't offend people further by misusing the classifications.

Here's the racially offensive, bizarre, and/or flat-out incorrect things Trump had to say while visiting Latin American historical monuments around New York City.

The Consulate General of Mexico In New York City

The Mexican Consulate represents America's southern neighbor in the city.

Trump's response? "When Mexico sends its people, they are not sending their best... They are sending people that have lots of problems. They are bringing those problems to us. They are bringing drugs and they are bringing crime and their rapists, and some are good people."

Trump would not — repeat, would not — be educated.

The José Artigas Monument

This monument is dedicated to the Uruguayan independence leader, General José Artigas.

Trump told me: "But I speak to border guards and they tell us what we’re getting. And it only makes common sense. It only makes common sense. They’re sending us not the right people. It’s coming from more than Mexico. It's coming from all over South and Latin America, and it’s coming probably — probably — from the Middle East."

El Museo del Barrio

This museum showcases Latin American art and is one of New York's leading Latin American cultural institutions.

Trump noted: "I would build a great wall, and nobody builds walls better than me, believe me, and I’ll build them very inexpensively. I will build a great, great wall on our southern border and I will have Mexico pay for that wall. Mark my words."

Repertorio Español

This theater company produces acclaimed Latin American, Spanish, and Hispanic-American shows in Spanish.

Trump wasn't impressed. "I'm not going to Mexico and I don't think anybody from this country [should]. I think we should boycott Mexico, frankly."

The Hispanic Society Of America

This museum and library is dedicated to the study of the cultures of Spain, Portugal, and Latin America.

Trump's thoughts? "Rick Perry failed at the border. Now he is critical of me. He needs a new pair of glasses to see the crimes committed by illegal immigrants."

The Oracle of the Past, Present and Future Statue

This public art structure was created by Puerto Rican artist Jorge Luis Rodriguez.

Trump informed me: "It's a national embarrassment that an illegal immigrant can walk across the border and receive free health care and one of our veterans that has served our country is put on a waiting list and gets no care."

The General William Jenkins Worth Monument

This monument is dedicated to General William Jenkins Worth, who was active in the Mexican-American war. Since Worth helped America obtain Mexican land to expand the U.S.'s territory, Trump thought he was a real patriot, obviously.

Trump noted: "Our country is in serious trouble. We don’t have victories anymore. We used to have victories, but we don’t have them."

Images: Lauren Holter (8)