Donald Trump attends the “Success by Trump” fragrance launch at Macy’s Herald Square on April 18, 2012 in New York City/AFP
NEW YORK, United States, Jul 2 – Macy’s became the latest company to sever ties with Donald Trump, and Costa Rica decided to pull out of his Miss Universe competition following the mogul’s controversial remarks about Mexican immigrants.
The move by Macy’s comes on the heels of announcements by Univision and NBC to cut relations with Trump after the voluble billionaire offended many Latinos during his speech announcing his presidential campaign in June.
“Macy’s is a company that stands for diversity and inclusion,” the department store said. “We have no tolerance for discrimination in any form.
“In light of statements made by Donald Trump, which are inconsistent with Macy’s values, we have decided to discontinue our business relationship with Mr. Trump and will phase-out the Trump menswear collection, which has been sold at Macy’s since 2004.”
Trump, 69, identifies as a Republican and has supported Republican candidates in the past. But in his speech he did not explicitly say if he was running for the party’s nomination or as an independent.
“When Mexico sends its people, they’re not sending their best,” Trump said June 16.
He added: “They’re sending people that have lots of problems, and they’re bringing those problems with us. They’re bringing drugs. They’re bringing crime. They’re rapists. And some, I assume, are good people.”
Latino advocates lambasted Trump’s comments as irresponsible and bigoted. READ: NBC, Televisa latest to dump Trump over immigrant comments.
An online petition from the progressive group MoveOn had called on Macy’s to “dump Trump” for his “unpleasant, nasty, and despicable behaviour.” The petition has drawn more than 730,000 signatures.
The Macy’s Trump line includes cufflinks and money clips, in addition to pinstripe suits and French Cuff shirts. Macy’s website lists 88 items under the line, most of which were on sale Wednesday.
Costa Rica also joined a number of Latino countries who have pulled their support for Trump’s Miss Universe pageant.
Teletica, the organizer of the Miss Costa Rica competition, said Wednesday that Trump’s remarks were “xenophobic and offensive” and the winner of the nation’s pageant will not go on to Miss Universe.
On Tuesday, Bogota cancelled its candidacy to host the Miss Universe show and Mexico withdrew from the contest, which is popular in Latin America.
About The Author
