It may be xenophobic, but whether it's a lie is separate from that and it may or may not be. Unpalatable assertions can still be true.

For what it's worth, "fake it till you make it" is far from being universally seen as positive, and (car) salesmen are seen as one of the most untrustworthy and least liked professions (just above telemarketers and members of congress). [1]

1: https://thehill.com/business/3812900-here-are-the-most-and-l...