After pictures of a ridiculous news graphic went viral, Fox host finally apologizes.

A recent blunder on ‘Fox & Friends’ went viral because it perfectly played into the common perception that the news channel traffics in ignorant racism.

Recently, "Fox & Friends" ran a news graphic touting President Trump’s decision to end foreign aid to “3 Mexican countries.”

(For the record there is only one Mexican country — Mexico.)

This is an actual banner from "Fox & Friends Weekend." 6:03am today. I double checked because I didn't believe it at first. Hat tip @BadFoxGraphics pic.twitter.com/tTNH0Y7a25

— Brian Stelter (@brianstelter) March 31, 2019

However, while the chyron ran, the Fox anchors correctly stated that the State Department announced the administration will be cutting federal aid to El Salvador, Guatemala, and Honduras.

All of which are their own countries, not tiny Mexicos.

The error inspired some hilarious memes:

An example of 3 #MexicanCountries pic.twitter.com/aX7OrJSpGS

— Mauricio (@MauricioGR_Edit) March 31, 2019

So we’ve been asking the wrong Mexico to pay for the wall this whole time?? #MexicanCountries

— GerriannT (@GerriannTealer) March 31, 2019

That's racist#MexicanCountries pic.twitter.com/SSY819QWCe

— Arq. Carles Igor & Partners Co Ltd (@CarlesIgor) April 1, 2019

We're all Mexicans! #MexicanCountries pic.twitter.com/SRgcaXzQdc

— Wichi! (@wichicam) April 1, 2019

Trump world view. #MexicanCountries #Nambia #FauxNews #TrumpWorld pic.twitter.com/ATAKRkdAnI

— Benjamin Slyngstad (@SlyngCartoons) April 1, 2019

Hey @FoxNews,

I was wondering if you can tell me how many more #MexicanCountries are there in Latin America.🤔

Now, this isn’t just a silly mistake, but an embarrassing evidence of the flat out prejudice (not to say racism) you feed to the public. pic.twitter.com/WhUfddSsGp

— Juan Manuel Guzman (@_jmguzman) April 1, 2019

How many #MexicanCountries are there anyway? Just three? Which ones have nachos? Do I have to watch Fox & Friends to learn about all these new Mexican Countries? Cuz their show gives me the heebie jeebies. pic.twitter.com/Y6O9lcM7Km

— ZachsMind (@ZachsMind) March 31, 2019

Do you agree @FoxNews?#MexicanCountries #murica pic.twitter.com/OvhGaawwPk

— Isaac Mora (@isaac7600x) April 1, 2019

After pictures of the ridiculous graphic went viral, ‘Fox & Friends’ host Ed Henry apologized for the error. “We had an inaccurate graphic onscreen while talking about this very story,” Henry said. “We just want to be clear, the funding is being cut off to the three Central American countries. We apologize for the error — it never should’ve happened.”

While the mistake gave Fox’s critics something to point and laugh at, the bigger issue is that Trump's decision to cancel aid to what’s known as the “Northern Triangle” may make lives for people in those countries even more difficult.

Trump wants to cut aid because he believes the countries “set up” migrant caravans to come to the U.S. But cutting funds to those countries could make the violence and poverty worse, leading more people to come to the U.S. for asylum.

“Ironically, our goals of having people stay and thrive in El Salvador are very similar to the current administration’s,” said Ken Baker, chief executive of Glasswing International, which uses U.S funds to runs education, health and entrepreneurship programs in El Salvador. “Through our programs, we’ve been able to provide opportunities and the belief that they [potential migrants] can thrive here.”

from Upworthy https://ift.tt/2K7teNV