Donald Trump Doesn't Have As Much Leverage With Mexico As He Thinks

The Republican front-runner's idea of how much foreign aid the United States gives its neighbor is more than slightly exaggerated.

LAREDO, TEXAS - JULY 23: Republican Presidential candidate and business mogul Donald Trump exits his plane during his trip to the border on July 23, 2015 in Laredo, Texas. Trump's recent comments, calling some immigrants from Mexico as drug traffickers and rapists, have stirred up reactions on both sides of the aisle. Although fellow Republican presidential candidate Rick Perry has denounced Trump's comments and his campaign in general, U.S. Senator from Texas Ted-Cruz has so far refused to bash his fellow Republican nominee. (Photo by Matthew Busch/Getty Images)
Photographer: Matthew Busch/Getty Images

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By Michael C. Bender

August 13, 2015 at 10:00 AM UTC

Updated on

August 13, 2015 at 1:05 PM UTC

This article is for subscribers only.

Donald Trump brims with confidence whenever he talks about sealing the southern border of the United States, and getting Mexico to pay for the wall.

"So easy," the Republican presidential frontrunner told Fox News on Tuesday, when Sean Hannity asked Trump how he's make the nation's neighbor cough up the cash.