Macy's Dumps Donald Trump Clothing Line In Response To Comments On Mexican Immigrants
NEW YORK (CBSNewYork/AP) -- Macy's is the latest company to end its relationship with Donald Trump as the fallout from the real estate mogul's remarks about Mexican immigrants continues.
Companies have been cutting ties with Trump left and right after his presidential campaign kickoff speech last week in which he declared that some Mexican immigrants bring drugs and crime to the U.S. and are rapists.
NBC, Spanish-language station Univision, TV company Ora TV and Mexican TV network Televisa have cut ties with Trump. The developer is suing Univision for $500 million for breach of contract for dropping the Miss USA and Miss Universe pageants, which are a joint venture between NBC and Trump.
Macy's Cuts Ties With Donald Trump
Flo Rida had been the highest-profile performer scheduled for Miss USA in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, and his representative confirmed Wednesday that he would not perform. Other performers also dropped out.
The July 12 event lost both its co-hosts Tuesday. Last week, the hosts of the Univision simulcast said they wouldn't take part in the Spanish-language telecast.
Macy's said in a statement that the retailer is "disappointed and distressed'' by Trump's remarks and will end its relationship with him.
"Macy's is a company that stands for diversity and inclusion," the company said. "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."
Macy's has carried a Donald Trump menswear line since 2004, including $70 button down-shirts and $65 striped ties. Most items were heavily discounted on Macy's website on Wednesday.
"We have no tolerance for discrimination in any form,'' the company said in a statement. "We welcome all customers, and respect for the dignity of all people is a cornerstone of our culture.''
The move comes after an outcry on social media, including online petitions, for Macy's to drop the line.
Trump released a statement saying he decided to terminate his relationship with Macy's "because of the pressure being put on them by outside sources."
He went on to say that the clothing line was a small part of his business and that he was "never happy" about the fact the ties and shirts were manufactured in China. Trump said if he launches a new product line elsewhere he will insist the items are made in America.
Trump also lashed out at NBC and Macy's saying both companies "support illegal immigration, which is totally detrimental to the fabric of our once great country. Both Macy's and NBC totally caved at the first sight of potential difficulty with special interest groups who are nothing more than professional agitators, who are not looking out for the people they purport to represent, but only for themselves. It is people like this that are actually running our country because our leaders are weak and ineffective."
Trump said if he's elected president he will "greatly strengthen our border, making it impenetrable, putting a stop to illegal immigration once and for all. I will bring jobs back to the United States."
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