Former Mexican President Vicente Fox amped up his criticism of Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump Tuesday night, describing the real estate mogul as an international threat who, if elected, could possibly provoke another world war.
“This guy is a menace,” Fox said in an interview Tuesday night. “He is a threat. He could even provoke a third world war.”
The hostile words came just two weeks after Trump’s controversial visit to Mexico and his fiery speech hours later where he doubled down on promises to kick out millions of immigrants and build a border wall that Mexico would pay for.
Fox called Trump a false prophet who is taking the nation in a dangerous direction. Fox said he was among dozens of former prime ministers and presidents who oppose a Trump presidency.
He can’t be the president of this great nation.
Vicente Fox, former Mexican president
“To the American people, I tell them, when you’re electing the president of the United States, at the same time you’re electing of the leader of the world,” Fox said.
The two have been feuding for months, ever since Fox famously declared that “I’m not going to pay for that f-ing wall,” when responding to Trump boasts that Mexico would pay for a proposed border wall – one of his signature campaign issues.
Trump has called Mexican immigrants criminals and rapists. He’s also criticized U.S.’s only female Hispanic governor and accused a U.S. district judge of being biased against him because the judge was of Mexican descent.
Fox spoke to reporters prior to speaking at the Washington gala for the National Hispanic Foundation of the Arts, which advocates for Latinos and the Latino image in the arts and media.
Felix Sanchez, chairman of the National Hispanic Foundation for the Arts, said Fox was selected specifically because of his ability to go “toe-to-toe” with Trump and condemn his remarks.
To the American people, I tell them, when you’re electing the president of the United States, at the same time you’re electing of the leader of the world.
Vicente Fox, former Mexican president
“His strong words should have come from more American politicians at that level instantly,” Sanchez said.
Fox eventually spoke for 15 minutes. He joked Trump’s use of teleprompters and about his campaign having found an actor who could be presidential to replace him. But he quickly got serious, his voice escalating, as he wonder why Trump was so “mad” and used such violent language. He said the world had enough problems and needed peace.
“Wake up America. Wake up America,” Fox bellowed, pumping his fist. “Don’t’ follow this false prophet.”
Earlier, Fox had told reporters that Trump’s rhetoric has only gotten worse since his trip to Mexico, which Fox described as a political stunt.
Many Mexicans, including Fox, were disappointed with President Enrique Peña Nieto’s decision to invite Trump to Mexico, let alone Peña Nieto’s failure to demand an apology for Trump’s incendiary comments.
Fox blasted the visit, and he and Trump have continued to trade barbs on social media.
“Former President Vicente Fox, who is railing against my visit to Mexico today, also invited me when he apologized for using the ‘f bomb,” Trump tweeted following the visit.
Fox responded: “@realDonaldTrump, I invited you to come and apologize to all Mexicans. Stop lying! Mexico is not yours to play with, show some respect.”
On Tuesday, Fox said the two nations need to focus on “building bridges, never walls.” He quipped that Trump’s “stupid wall” wouldn’t even work.
“He can’t be the president of this great nation,” Fox said.
Email: fordonez@mcclatchydc.com; Twitter: @francoordonez.
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