Outrage in Mexico at Trump praise for 'legendary' 19th-century US invasion

[BumRushDaShow]

Source: The Guardian

Tue 3 Feb 2026 16.18 EST
Last modified on Tue 3 Feb 2026 16.31 EST


A message from Donald Trump celebrating the 19th-century US invasion of its southern neighbour – and the subsequent loss of more than half its territory – has touched a historical nerve in Mexico, with some seeing it as a veiled threat for future incursions.

Reacting to the US president’s statement, which described the invasion as “a legendary victory”, Claudia Sheinbaum, Mexico’s president, said during her morning news conference on Tuesday: “We must always defend our sovereignty.” Others were less subtle in their criticism. “Never, in the recent annals of Mexico-US relations had we seen anything like this,” wrote the former Mexican ambassador to the US Arturo Sarukhan, on X. “This is not only spiking the ball in the end zone; it’s an in your face F… You.”

The message, posted by the White House on Monday, said the US-Mexico war “reasserted American sovereignty, and expanded the promise of American independence across our majestic continent”.

But the conflict has long been a historical sore spot for Mexico: Following the capture of Mexico City by US troops in 1847, Mexico gave away 55% of its pre-war territory, including the present-day states of California, Nevada, Utah, much of Colorado, New Mexico and Arizona.

Read more: https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026/feb/03/mexico-leaders-react-trump-invasion

[FakeNoose]

1. Chump has never learned how to read the room

Since when do neighbors and "friends" celebrate the outcome of a disastrous war that happened almost 175 years ago? If the European leaders talked to each other like Chump does, there would never be peace in Europe.

[BumRushDaShow]

2. He doesn't care about "friendship"

He (via Stephen Miller) wants to take over the entire Western Hemisphere.

[FakeNoose]

3. He won't live long enough to accomplish that

Thank the good Lord!

[BumRushDaShow]

4. People were saying that during his first term

(and saying the same about Turtle too).

[Old Testament Libera]

9. I do not think Trump is interested in any further invasions of Mexico...

...he doesn't want any more Mexicans. However some of the people he's trying to deport had families in that part of the US when it was Mexico - they have been there much longer than the Anglos.

[twodogsbarking]

5. The Mexicans were the good guys at the Alamo.

[Torchlight]

6. Mr. trump is the best U.S. President Putin could have chosen for himself

For the rest of planet and us, though...? Not so much.

[70sEraVet]

7. The Mexican-American War was a naked land-grab.

Mexico wouldn't sell its territory to the US for the price we were offering, so we created a justification for war. There was no aspect of that war that is worthy of any pride on our part.
But I suppose that, for this current regime, a 'naked land-grab' is an admirable act.

[SergeStorms]

8. Might equates to being right....

in the Big Orange Pig's mind. He's never attempted bargaining or compromise. Those are for "weaklings" in his opinion, and only one of the reasons other world leaders despise him.

[raccoon]

13. And it was about slavery, which at the time was already illegal in Mexico. That's why the immigrants

(yes, Gringo immigrants!) into what is now the state of TX wanted to be part of the US rather than Mexico. So they could still own slaves.

We were never taught that in school.

[Rhiannon12866]

10. Is there any country in the world that the felon-in-chief hasn't turned into an enemy yet?! Except Russia...

[BumRushDaShow]

11. And North Korea!

He hasn't gotten around to inviting his buddy Kim Jong Un to the White House yet!

[Rhiannon12866]

12. Ah! Great point!

He now has a photo of himself with Putin in the White House just as he had a photo of himself with Kim Jong Un in pride of place in the bar in the building he owned in New York...