Pitbull to Donald Trump: 'I'm a Latino First, I support Our People'
Mr. Worldwide, also known as the multi-platinum award-winning rapper Pitbull, has a message for Donald Trump, the Republican presidential candidate who recently came under fire for saying that Mexican immigrants were rapists, criminals and drug dealers.
That message is, "I'm not a politician. I'm a musician. I'm a Latino first. I support our people."
Premios Juventad, the Spanish-language awards show that aired Thursday on Univision (the nation's largest Spanish-speaking television network), offered Pitbull the perfect platform to share his thoughts about the real-estate mogul.
Pitbull took to the stage and began his acceptance speech by thanking Trump for his personal kindness, but then continued to say, "I want to tell Marco Rubio, step it up! Jeb Bush, step it up! Hillary Clinton, step it up! Because Donald Trump can't be president."
He then added, "For all of the Latinos out there, keep your heads up, and Trump, watch out for El Chapo, dude."
Pitbull's final comments referred to the infamous and dangerous Mexican drug lord Joaquin "El Chapo" Guzman who escaped from prison last week for the second time. Trump reportedly contacted law enforcement after he received threats from an unverified Twitter account that was allegedly linked to El Chapo.
Trump's Miss USA Pageant was dropped for Univision in light of Trump's defamatory and offensive comments. However, the network is just one of many to sever ties with the businessman following his comments. He's likely burned dozens of bridges.
While in an interview with Fusion on Thursday, Pitbull was asked if he would stay at Trump's hotels, and he said he would not. He clarified why, stating, "Due to the fact of what has been said, I wouldn't be able to for the simple fact that you're speaking about a culture that I ride [with], I die for. And this culture is the only reason I'm having this conversation right now."
Pitbull is the latest Latino celebrity to challenge Trump. He's preceded by Gina Rodriguez ("Jane the Virgin"), America Ferrera ("Ugly Betty"), songstress Shakira, rapper Becky G, actress and producer Eva Longoria, Roselyn Sanchez ("Devious Maids"), Cristian de la Fuente ("Devious Maids"), reggaeton singer J Balvin, beauty queen Lupita Jones, actress Ashley Campuzano, television host Chiquibaby, singer Ricky Martin, singer Noel Torres and musician Fher Olvera.
"It was going to be my first performance on national [mainstream] television," the reggaeton singer told Billboard on June 24. "This isn't about being punitive, but about showing leadership through social responsibility. His comments weren't just about Mexicans, but about all Latins in general."
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