‘I love Hispanics!’ Trump sparks outrage with tweet celebrating Mexico's Cinco de Mayo
DONALD Trump has sparked a Twitter storm after he posted a tweet aimed at celebrating the Mexican Cinco de Mayo festival.
Trump caused a twitter meltdown over a taco bowl
The Republican firebrand, who looks set to lead the party after rivals Ted Cruz and John Kasich pulled out of the race, tweeted a picture of himself tucking into a taco bowl in his office.
But social media users were whipped into a furore over Trump’s caption, which read: "I love Hispanics!"
Some twitter users highlighted the hotelier’s rhetoric towards Mexico in the past, including his promise to build a wall and force the Mexican government to pay for it.
Some twitter users claimed the tweet had racist connotations
Happy #CincoDeMayo! The best taco bowls are made in Trump Tower Grill. I love Hispanics! https://t.co/ufoTeQd8yA pic.twitter.com/k01Mc6CuDI
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) May 5, 2016
One quipped: "Trump sources confirm that in fact, Mexico paid for the taco salad.”
Meanwhile others claimed the tweet had racist connotations and played off crude stereotypes, with one user adding: "Can't wait for Trump's fried chicken lunch to reach out to African Americans."
Hilary Clinton, who will probably face off with Mr Trump in the US Presidential election used the moment for a political attack, tweeting: "'I love Hispanics!' — Trump, 52 minutes ago, 'They’re gonna be deported.' — Trump, yesterday."
It comes after the political firebrand has campaigned to build a wall on the Mexican border
donald trump eating a taco bowl and saying he loves Hispanics is like white people saying they aren't racist cause they have a black friend
— Mark Oglesby (@mark_ogle) May 5, 2016
But some were more concerned with the contents of the cheery faced prospective president's office.
Beady eyed onlookers were quick to spot that beneath Mr Trump's plate was a photo of his bikini clad ex-wife Marla Maples.
Others cast their gaze on more suspect elements of his huge assortment of awards, saying: "I feel compelled to point out that Donald Trump has a fake Oscar among his trophy collection."
By the way, Trump's eating his taco bowl on top of a picture of his ex-wife in a bikini.
— Eli Rubenstein (@EliRubenstein) May 5, 2016
H/T @bennyjohnson pic.twitter.com/wGaWxMnWtz
Weird Twitter's already found ex-wife pics on his desk, a fake oscar in his trophies, and that Trump Grill doesn't sell taco bowls. Amazing.
— Weston Turner (@KoolRapDinosaur) May 5, 2016
Cinco de Mayo commemorates the Mexican defeat of the French during the Battle of Puebla in 1862.
But despite its bloody history the festival has recently become a celebration Mexican heritage on both sides of the US border.