David Ortiz Calls Donald Trump’s Latino Immigrant Comments ‘Slap In The Face’

To say Donald Trump’s stance on Latino immigrants doesn’t sit well with David Ortiz might be an understatement.

The Dominican-born Ortiz didn’t shy away from weighing in on the Republican presidential nominee’s controversial (and seemingly ever-changing) immigration policies in a Spanish-spoken interview with USA TODAY.

Much of Trump’s campaign has centered around immigration — particularly from Mexico — and Ortiz isn’t impressed with some of the anti-Mexican, anti-immigrant messages Trump has conveyed during the campaign.

“When you speak like that about us, it’s a slap in the face,” Ortiz told USA TODAY’s Jorge L. Ortiz. “I walk around sometimes, and I see Mexican people trying to earn a living in an honest way. And to hear somebody make those kinds of comments, it hits you.

“I think as Latin people, we deserve better. Things have gotten much better in that regard. … As Latin people, we deserve respect, no matter where you’re from. And especially our Mexican brothers, who come here willing to do all the dirty work.

“Latin people here in the United States are the spark plug of the country’s economy. Whoever opposes that is going to lose. And not just Latin people but immigrants. I’m talking about people who come from Africa, from Asia, other places. All those people come here with one goal, to realize the American dream, and you have to include them in our group.”

Ortiz’s comments are particularly interesting given the fact he rarely weighs in on politics. He’s also in many ways the embodiment of the American dream — or at the least some version of that ideal — coming to the United States at a young age and turning himself into a superstar worth millions of dollars.

Ortiz also beamed about the United States after officially becoming an American citizen in 2008.

“I’m proud to be an American, and it’s great to be part of the American family, Ortiz said at the time, per MLB.com.

“My whole family, pretty much my kids and everybody have been born here,” he explained when asked at the time why he wanted to become a citizen. “Like I said, America is a great country. I’m proud to be here, and now proud to be a part of it.”

Click to read the full David Ortiz interview >>

Thumbnail photo via Kelley L Cox/USA TODAY Sports Images