Shakira hits out at Donald Trump as America Ferrera says 'thank you'

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Colombian singer expressed her outrage to 32million Twitter followers
She insisted that no one should 'stand behind so much ignorance'
Ferrera thanked Trump for sending more Latin Americans to the polls
Claims his speech will 'energize' them to turnout and vote on election day
Billionaire made shocking remarks while announcing run for president
TV stations and retailers including Macy's have cut ties with him

Published: 14:15 EST, 2 July 2015 | Updated: 18:28 EST, 2 July 2015

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Shakira has blasted Donald Trump's 'hateful and racist' speech on Mexican immigrants, while Ugly Betty actress America Ferrera has thanked him for sending more Latin Americans to the polls.

The Colombian singer condemned the billionaire's comments in a Twitter message to her 32 million followers on Tuesday, saying: 'No one living in this century should stand behind so much ignorance.'

She becomes the latest international star to show her disgust at the presidential candidate's remarks.

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Shakira has blasted Donald Trump's 'hateful and racist' speech on Mexican immigrants

The Colombian singer condemned the billionaire's comments in a message to her 32 million followers

She criticized his 'ignorance' in a second post while including the link to his controversial speech on June 16

On June 16, in address to fans announcing he is seeking the Republican nomination for president, Donald Trump says of Mexicans; 'They’re bringing drugs. They’re bringing crime. They’re rapists.'

TV stations and retailers, including Macy's, have also cut ties with the businessman as a result.

But since the scandal broke, his numbers in the polls have rocketed.

Shakira also posted on Facebook, to 101 million fans: 'This is a hateful and racist speech that attempts to divide a country that for years has promoted diversity and democracy!'

Ferrera, whose family were originally from Honduras, also joined the criticism against Trump in a letter published in The Huffington Post called: 'Thank You, Donald Trump!'

In it she wrote: 'You've said some pretty offensive things about Latino immigrants recently, and I think they're worth addressing.

'Because, you know, this is the United States of America, where I have a right to speak up even if I'm not a billionaire. Isn't that awesome?

'Anyway, I heard what you said about the kind of people you think Latino immigrants are -- people with problems, who bring drugs, crime and rape to America. While your comments are incredibly ignorant and racist, I don't want to spend my time chastising you. I'll leave that to your business partners like Univision and NBC, who have the power to scold you where it hurts. Instead, I'm writing to say thank you!

No one living in this century should stand behind so much ignorance

Shakira

'You see, what you just did with your straight talk was send more Latino voters to the polls than several registration rallies combined! Thank you for that. Here we are pounding the pavement to get American Latinos to the polls, while your tactic proves most effective. Remarks like yours will serve brilliantly to energize Latino voters and increase turnout on election day against you and any other candidate who runs on a platform of hateful rhetoric.

'Do you know why that's such a big deal, Donald? Because Latinos are the largest, youngest and fastest-growing constituency in the United States of America.

'That's right! You are running for President in a country where the Latino population grew by over 49 percent from 2000-2012, while the rest of the country grew by 5.8 percent. What's more, we are the future.

'The median age of the average Latino is 27 years old, compared to 42 years old for white Americans. In case you need a translation, that means there are a whole lot of Americans who are Latino and have the right to vote. And, we're not going anywhere.

'This is the America we are actually living in. I hope by now you understand that without the Latino vote, there is no chance of you ever winning this election. If you don't believe me, you could ask President Bush or you could even ask President Obama.

Ugly Betty actress America Ferrera (left) has thanked the Real Estate mogul for his remarks, claiming they are going to send more Latin Americans to the polls

'You, Mr. Trump, are living in an outdated fantasy of a bigoted America. Last week, America celebrated some amazing milestones -- marriage equality, universal healthcare, removing of the confederate flag -- making it clear in which direction the country is moving. That is why racist remarks that play to extremists won't change the tide, no matter how hard you try. They will only serve to rally more Latino voters to the polls. Your negativity and your poorly thought out speech ignited a fire in our community. Thank you, Mr. Trump!

'Thank you for reminding us that there remains an antiquated and endangered species of bigots in this country that we must continue to combat. Thank you for reminding us to not sit complacently at home on election day, but to run to the polls and proclaim that there is no place for your brand of racial politicking in our government. Thank you for sending out the rallying cry.

Thank you for reminding us that there remains an antiquated and endangered species of bigots in this country that we must continue to combat. Thank you for reminding us to not sit complacently at home on election day, but to run to the polls and proclaim that there is no place for your brand of racial politicking in our government. Thank you for sending out the rallying cry

America Ferrera, award-winning actress

You have made your thoughts on the Latino community clear and you continue to stand by them. And in return, we will do more than tweet about our indignation and beat piñatas of your likeness. We will silence you at the polls. We will vote and use our growing position in U.S. politics. Our fellow Americans who understand and value our contributions will join us. We know there is nothing that scares you more.

The truth is, Mr. Trump, that your comments mean that you fail to see that immigrants are what have made this nation. They are at the core of our ideals, and they are the foundation that keeps us afloat. No, Mr. Trump, you may not reduce us to drug dealers and rapists. We are moms and dads, sons and daughters. We are valedictorians and honor students. We are college graduates, bankers, police officers, entertainers, teachers, journalists, politicians and we are the future of America.

Thank you for helping us in our work to energize the Latino vote and to usher in our shared future! Keep it up!

'You see, what you just did with your straight talk was send more Latino voters to the polls than several registration rallies combined!' she added.

'Thank you for that. Here we are pounding the pavement to get American Latinos to the polls, while your tactic proves most effective.

'Remarks like yours will serve brilliantly to energize Latino voters and increase turnout on election day against you and any other candidate who runs on a platform of hateful rhetoric.'

Despite the backlash, Trump is refusing to back down from his comments.

Appearing Wednesday night on CNN, the Republican businessman-turned-politician exploded at the media and retail companies that have cut ties with him over the claim, which he trumpeted during his June 16 presidential campaign announcement speech.

'They're bringing drugs, they're bringing crime, they're rapists,' he said then. 'And some I assume are good people, but I speak to border guards and they tell us what we are getting.'

Trump has continued to defend his point of view, citing statistics but not putting a human face on the victims of what he sees as an illegal-immigrant-generated crime wave.

Trump has already sued one of those companies, the Spanish-language Univision TV network, for backing out of a five-year broadcast contract for his July 12 Miss USA pageant.

Mexico furious after Trump brands immigrants as 'rapists'

Appearing Wednesday night on CNN, the Republican businessman-turned-politician exploded at the media and retail companies that have cut ties with him over the comments

Mexican creates Donald Trump pinatas to take out anger

He said on CNN that it was Univision's digital platform, Fusion, which first reported on an epidemic of women being raped in the process of sneaking across the U.S-Mexico border.

'Well, if you look at the statistics of people coming, you look at the statistics on rape, on crime, on everything coming in illegally into this country, it's mind-boggling!' Trump said.

'If you go to Fusion, you will see a story: About 80 per cent of the women coming in – you know who owns Fusion? Univision! – Go to Fusion and pick up the stories on rape,' he vented.

'It's unbelievable when you look at what's going on. So all I'm doing is telling the truth.'

CNN host Don Lemon quibbled with Trump's interpretation.

DONALD TRUMP'S MOUNTING PROBLEMS: WHO'S DUMPED TRUMP AND WHO MIGHT DUMP HIM NEXT?

WHO'S DUMPED TRUMP?

June 16 - In his speech to announce he is seeking the Republican nomination for president, Donald Trump says of Mexicans; 'They’re bringing drugs. They’re bringing crime. They’re rapists.'

June 25 - Univision, the world's largest Spanish-language network announces it will not air the Miss USA pageant. Colombian singer J Balvin announces he will not perform as was previously announced. Later that day, Miss USA Spanish-language hosts Roselyn Sanchez and Cristián de la Fuente announce they will not appear at the pageant.

June 29 - NBC announces they will not air the Miss USA pageant on July 11 or the Miss Universe pageant next January after Trump's statements. The network also announces they are ending their business relationship with Trump.

June 29 - Televisa, a Mexican media giant and one of the hemisphere's largest broadcasters, says it will no longer air the Miss Universe pageant and won't do business with Trump on any other communication project.

June 30 - Ora TV, a television company backed by Mexican billionaire Carlos Slim, announces it would nix a television project that had been in the works with Trump.

June 30 - Miss USA hosts Cheryl Burke and Thomas Roberts announce they are stepping down, leaving no hosts for the pageant on July 11. Mexico also announces that it will not be sending a contestant to this year's Miss Universe pageant. Trump meanwhile reportedly filed a $500million lawsuit against Univision in a New York court for refusing to air the show.

July 1 - Macy's announces it will sever ties with Trump, who sold his line of dress shirts, neckties, fragrances and bottled water at the retail megachain

WHO MIGHT DUMP TRUMP NEXT?

Donald Trump made his money in real estate and, thus far, that end of his empire remains largely untouched by the current controversy. But that could soon change...

Miami-Dade County Commissioner Daniella Levine Cava has called for an outright boycott officially sanctioned events at any Trump property in the county, where his Trump National Doral resort is located.

Trump also has ownership stakes in real estate are worth $5.3 billion, ranging from the Trump Tower in New York to the Mar-a-Lago golf club in Palm Beach, Florida.

The nine-property Trump Hotel Collection includes properties in New York, Chicago, Las Vegas, Toronto and golf resorts in Florida and Ireland.

Another four properties are under development including one in Rio de Janeiro and one in Washington, D.C.

Macy's announced on Wednesday it would sever ties with Trump, who sold his line of dress shirts, neckties, fragrances and bottled water at the retailer