Macy’s urged to ‘dump Trump’ over sexism, Obama comments
More than 510,000 people have signed a online petition urging Macy’s Inc. to sever its ties with real estate magnate and television celebrity Donald Trump, accusing him of “especially unpleasant, nasty and despicable behavior.”
A petition on SignOn.org to “dump Trump” claims that Trump’s attitude toward women is sexist. It also argues that the businessman’s complaints about China luring away American jobs are hypocritical and that the clothing line he sells at Macy’s is made in Asia.
Signers also took issue with his mistrust of global warming data and his efforts to prove that President Barack Obama was born abroad – a campaign that the petition calls “racially charged.”
In recent weeks, Trump has tweeted that climate change is “nonexistent” and that American companies such as Chrysler will ship production to China.
But he also tweeted that he doesn’t hate Obama – “I just disagree with his policies!” he wrote.
The SignOn.org petition is directed to Terry J. Lundgren, Macy’s chief executive. Trump sells several products, including $65 ties, $40 cuff links and exclusive fragrances, through the department store and is occasionally featured in the chain’s advertisements.
In a statement, Macy’s said its marketing and merchandise offerings “are not representative of any political position.”
“Many of the individuals associated with products sold at Macy’s – or at any retailer, for that matter – express personal opinions that are not related to the merchandise we sell or to the philosophies of our company,” the chain said.
Michael Cohen, Trump’s special counsel, said in a statement that he questions “the legitimacy and accuracy of the [SignOn.org] website and the number of signatures claimed to have joined this petition.”
“Regardless, The Trump Organization values its long standing relationship with Macy’s and looks forward to many more years of continued success,” Cohen said.
Trump spent the week talking up his Macy’s collection on Twitter. “My fragrance – “Success” – is flying off the shelves @Macys,” he tweeted. “The perfect Christmas gift!”
He also engaged in a sparring match with singer Cher, who tweeted that she’ll “NEVER GO TO MACY’S AGAIN! I didnt know they sold Donald Trump’s Line! If they don’t care that they sell products from a LOUDMOUTH.”
For good measure, she also called him a “RACIST CRETIN.”
Trump responded that Cher “should spend more time focusing on her family and dying career!”
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