Trump’s reaction to being called a T.A.C.O. (Trump Always Chickens Out) is not only about a jab at his masculinity or ego. It is also about the word itself—a Spanish word. A Mexican word, even. An association with a people and culture he clearly does not hold in high regard.
But let’s not get ahead of ourselves.
For a very long time now, Trump’s anti-immigrant stance has been laced with a not-so-subtle, anti-southern border flavor. Do not get us wrong, he is clearly an equal opportunity xenophobe, but for Mexicans, he holds a special place.
The MAGA movement seems to agree.
Trump’s most devoted followers seem obsessed with Mexicans, so much so that they act as if they are ready to go to war just to set them straight. Whether immigration is rising or falling, it does not matter. The principle remains the same: Mexicans–American born or not–are the internal enemy. Indeed, the frenzy is so deep and enduring, you would think it was inscribed in scripture—an eleventh commandment: Thou shalt hate all things Mexican—especially the Mexicans.
Trump’s anti-Mexican rhetoric is often a nesting doll of racial resentment: the outer layers may scream “border crisis,” but at the core is a deep loathing of anything not white and European. “Mexican” becomes the stand-in enemy—a culturally safe, racially loaded target. His base gets the message. It is not about policy—it is about identity and who does not belong.