Spanish-born singer Julio Iglesias has joined the Latino community protest over comments by US Republican party presidential candidate Donald Trump. Iglesias called Trump « a clown. »
Veteran singer Julio Iglesias has joined the celebrity-backed Latino reaction to presidential candidate Donald Trump’s comments on Mexican immigrants. Trump suggested in June that Mexican immigrants to the United States were « rapists » well-versed in drugs and crime.
On a tour to promote his latest album in Mexico, the 72-year-old singer confirmed the sentiment he expressed in the article published on Wednesday in the Barcelona-based daily newspaper « La Vanguardia. » « He thinks he can fix the world forgetting what immigrants have done for his country. He is a clown! And my apologies to clowns. »
Iglesias has been based in Miami, Florida for many years. He said he would no longer perform in venues bearing Trump’s name: « I’ve met Trump three or four times because I’ve played his places, » Iglesias said in Mexico. « I think his brain and his heart are not connected right now. It’s not correct, his position. »
Trump’s spokesperson issued his response: « Good, I don’t like his voice or his performances anymore, anyhow! »
Iglesias in Mexico
Iglesias denied he was profiting from the situation to promote his current tour, or his album « Mexico. »
« When I started this album two years ago, I was not thinking I would have something to do with Mr. Trump, » Iglesias said. « I’m 72 years old and I’m maybe the biggest Latino artist in history. If you think that I need that now, that’s wrong. At my age it’s too late to embrace situations just to gain something. »
The album which features 12 songs with Mexican themes has topped Billboard’s Latin pop chart. The single « Fallaste Corazon » (You Failed, Dear) from the album is the first Spanish-language song he has released in 12 years. Iglesias is Latin music’s top-selling artist with 300 million albums sold during his career.
Iglesias has joined Univision, Macy’s and NBC in severing business ties with Trump. Latin stars including Colombian singer J Balvin and Puerto Rico actress Joselyn Sanchez withdrew from their participation in July’s Miss USA beauty pageant which is owned by Trump through his Miss Universe business.
Spanish-American TV chef Jose Andres also pulled out of a business venture with Trump over what Andres called Trump’s « insulting comments » about Mexican immigrants.
Trump’s comments have apparently alienated Latin voters. In a poll carried out by the Washington Post last month Trump was viewed unfavorably by 82 percent of Hispanics and favorably by only 15 percent.
jm/ng (AP, EFE)