Is the GOP Playing Cruz as a Fool to Stop Trump?

[jwoodie]

Do they really consider him to be a viable candidate or are they supporting him only as a way to stop Trump, and then turn to another candidate to nominate? No disrespect to Cruz, who I would vote for, but something smells fishy...

 

[JakeStarkey]

jwoodie, I think some intend to do just that. Use Cruz as the stalking horse, then take down Trump and Cruz.

 

[couch protester]

Do they really consider him to be a viable candidate or are they supporting him only as a way to stop Trump, and then turn to another candidate to nominate? No disrespect to Cruz, who I would vote for, but something smells fishy...

It's a coup d'trump by the establishment.

The Companies That Have Dumped Donald Trump

Here’s a look at who has distanced themselves from Trump:

Univision

The first domino to fall was the largest network aimed at Hispanics across the globe, Univision.

“We see first-hand the work ethic, love for family, strong religious values and the important role Mexican immigrants and Mexican-Americans have had and will continue to have in building the future of our country. We will not be airing the Miss USA pageant on July 12th or working on any other projects tied to the Trump Organization,” the company said in a statement.

In an interview with ABC News’ Tom Llamas, Trump said, “I love the Mexican people, I have great respect for Mexico.”

In response to Univision's dropping the pageant, Trump filed a $500 million lawsuit this week against the company for damages.

Televisa

Following Univision, the Mexico-based broadcaster fired Trump for his comments saying in part, “Mr. Trump hasn’t demonstrated understanding or respect toward Mexican migrants and has offended the entire Mexican population.”

Televisa also owns the Mexican equivalent of Trump’s Miss USA pageant and said it would not be sending a representative to compete in Miss Universe.

Three countries have since pulled out of the Miss Universe pageant: Costa Rica, Mexico and now Panama.

Farouk Systems

Farouk Systems Inc., which owns hair care brands such as CHI and BioSilk, said it too is done with The Donald.

“Our company is multicultural with people of Latin American descent making up a large percentage of our employees and loyal customers,” company CEO Basim Shami said in the statement. “As a company proudly founded on the concept of coming to the USA in pursuit of the American Dream, Mr. Trump’s comments do not and will never reflect our company’s philosophy or practices.”

NBCUniversal

The network that has worked with Trump for both Miss Universe and his hit reality television series, “The Apprentice,” also said goodbye to the Donald last week.

“Due to the recent derogatory statements by Donald Trump regarding immigrants, NBCUniversal is ending its business relationship with Mr. Trump,” the company said in a statement.

NBC said “Celebrity Apprentice” is licensed from Mark Burnett’s United Artists Media Group and that relationship will continue. Trump fired back, saying, “If NBC is so weak and so foolish to not understand the serious illegal immigration problem in the United States, coupled with the horrendous and unfair trade deals we are making with Mexico, then their contract violating closure of Miss Universe/Miss USA will be determined in court.”

But Reelz network will reportedly broadcast the event July 12.

Macy’s

The magic of one of America’s biggest retail giants is no longer with Trump. Macy’s pulled its star away from The Donald last week, saying in part, “We do not believe the disparaging characterizations portray an accurate picture of the many Mexicans, Mexican Americans and Latinos who have made so many valuable contributions to the success of our nation."

"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,” the retailer added.

Trump responded by saying it was actually his decision to end the relationship with Macy’s: “Clearly, NBC and Macy’s 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.”

Even New York City, where the Trump Organization is based, is beginning to question its relationship with Trump.

“We are reviewing Trump contracts with the City," Mayor Bill de Blasio said in a statement on July 1. "Donald Trump’s remarks were disgusting and offensive, and this hateful language has no place in our city. Trump’s comments do not represent the values of inclusion and openness that define us as New Yorkers. Our Mexican brothers and sisters make up an essential part of this city’s vibrant and diverse community, and we will continue to celebrate and support New Yorkers of every background."

NASCAR

NASCAR hasn't formally severed ties with Trump, but it may be distancing itself from the presidential candidate. Camping World CEO Marcus Lemonis, whose company is the title sponsor of NASCAR's Truck Series, said in a letter he wouldn't attend NASCAR's season-ending awards ceremony if it was held at a Trump property. The ceremony was held at the Trump National Doral Miami last year.

On July 3, NASCAR spokesman David Higdon said the ceremony won't be at the Doral this year. "We looked at everything we saw coming down and what we heard from our sponsors and our partners and what we feel we should be doing, and that's what led us to the decision today,” he said.

Serta

Trump's mattress line became another casualty of his racially-infused comments. Serta, the nation's number one bedding producer, decided to begin "unwinding [its] relationship" with Trump. In a July 1 statement, the company said it "values diversity and does not agree with nor endorse the recent statements made by Mr. Trump."

In a statement released subsequently, Trump fired back and stood behind his comments, responding to the actions of his now or soon-to-be former business partners. Attacking the companies that have left or plan to leave him, Trump said "Macy's, NBC, Serta and NASCAR have all taken the weak and very sad position of being politically correct even though they are wrong in terms of what is good for our country."

ESPN

On July 6, a week after both the PGA and the USGA distanced themselves from Trump's comments, ESPN announced in a statement that it would be moving the upcoming ESPY Celebrity Golf Classic from Trump's National Golf Club to Pelican Hill Golf Club in Los Angeles. This year, ESPN's annual Celebrity Golf Classic will raise funds for the Stuart Scott Memorial Cancer Research Fund - named in memory of ESPN anchor Stuart Scott, who passed away earlier this year.

The Scott Fund, a part of the V Foundation for Cancer Research, provides resources for cancer research with a focus on supporting minority populations, particularly African-Americans and Latinos. "Diversity and inclusion are core values at ESPN and our decision also supports that commitment," the statement said. "We decided it was appropriate to change the venue, and are grateful for the opportunity to stage the event at Pelican Hill at short notice." (ESPN is a subsidiary of the Walt Disney Company, which also owns ABC News).

PGA

After meeting with Trump on July 6, the PGA of America released a short statement in which it announced it would be seeking a new venue for the 2015 PGA Grand Slam of Golf. Trump simultaneously announced that the decision, which was characterized as being in each party's "best interest," would allow him time to renovate and improve his golf course.

PVH

On July 7, the list grew larger still. PVH Corp, which manufactures Trump's clothing line for Macy's, has said it will begin to wind down the brand, Forbes reports.

Jose Andres and Geoffrey Zakarian

Jose Andres, the high-profile owner of ThinkFoodGroup and 18 restaurants who made Time's list of 100 most influential people in 2012, released a statement July 8 announcing his decision to back out of a deal with Trump International's new hotel in Washington D.C., which is currently under construction. Andres' company had planned to open the premier restaurant in Trump's new hotel.

"Donald Trump's recent statements disparaging immigrants make it impossible for my company and I to move forward with opening a successful Spanish restaurant in Trump International's upcoming hotel in Washington D.C.," the statement reads. "More than half of my team is Hispanic, as are many of our guests. And, as a proud Spanish immigrant and recently naturalized American citizen myself, I believe that every human being deserves respect, regardless of immigration status."

Andres' tweet on July 2 gave a sign of things to come: "My view on immigration is clear," Andres said. "All men and women should be treated respectfully regardless of their status." According to the Washington Post, Donald Trump Jr. has indicated that another lawsuit may be in the offing. Referring to the contract between the Trump Organization and Andres, Trump Jr. said "Jose has no right to terminate or otherwise abandon his obligations under the lease."

Joining Andres a day later, celebrity chef Zakarian also decided he would not open shop at Trump's new hotel on Pennsylvania Ave. in Washington D.C. “The recent statements surrounding Mexican immigrants by Donald Trump do not in any way align with my personal core values," the Iron Chef winner wrote in a statement Thursday, according to the New York Times.

Perfumania

“Perfumania is winding down its retail business with the Trump fragrance brand," a spokesperson for Perfumania told Forbes on Thursday July 9. The company was selling two of Donald's fragrances, Success by Trump and Empire by Trump, which you can't find on the Perfumania website, however you can still find and purchase Ivanka Trump fragrances.

The Federal Aviation Administration

The FAA announced Thursday July 9 it was renaming three Donald Trump related flight coordinates - UFIRD (you're fired), DONLD and TRMMP - that are above Palm Beach International Airport. “In general, the FAA chooses names that are non-controversial and relate to the area in which the fixes are located,” the FAA told ABC News.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

 

[Cecilie1200]

Do they really consider him to be a viable candidate or are they supporting him only as a way to stop Trump, and then turn to another candidate to nominate? No disrespect to Cruz, who I would vote for, but something smells fishy...

Honestly, I think Cruz is smarter than the entire RNC combined. I KNOW he's already thought of this possibility, and has a plan for that contingency, because I've heard him comment on it.