The final Republican presidential debate of 2015 was held last night at the Venetian Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas. Despite the best efforts of former Florida Governor Jeb Bush and others, no one was able to mortally wound the ascendant candidacy of Donald Trump.
Trump launched his bid to win the Republican nomination for the presidency in June 2015, and immediately embarked on a berserker-mode political campaign, in which he’s made provocative statements about Muslims, Mexicans, women and the Chinese.
None of these statements have had any ill effect on his standing in the polls. In fact, Trump’s lead over his rivals has only grown. This flies in the face of conventional wisdom, which holds that his statements should have destroyed his candidacy faster than a tweet from Anthony Weiner.
While he may not have lost any of his political supporters, some of his rhetoric has caused at least some of his business efforts to suffer, and it remains to be seen whether Trump can undo the damage when the smoke clears. Fortune takes a look at some of the business deals that have taken a hit since Donald Trump announced his candidacy.
Univision deal
When Donald Trump declared his candidacy for the presidency on June 15, he made a statement about Mexican immigrants that immediately set the tone for his entire campaign.
“When Mexico sends its people, they’re not sending their best,” he said. “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.”
Univision, the largest Spanish-language television broadcaster in the United States, announced that in response to these comments, it would not air the 2015 Miss USA Pageant. Furthermore, it would sever ties with Miss Universe Organization co-owner Donald Trump.
“At 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,” the company said in a press release. Trump responded by suing the network, seeking damages in excess of $500 million.
NBC deal
The fallout for the 2015 Miss USA Pageant didn’t end with Univision. On June 29, NBC cut ties with Trump and canceled plans to air both the Miss USA Pageant and the Miss Universe Pageant, both joint ventures with the real estate mogul. It didn’t stop there either – NBC also nixed any future involvement with Trump’s reality show, “The Celebrity Apprentice.”
NBC cited his statement about Mexican immigrants as its reason for ending its relationship with Trump. The network was also the subject of a Change.org petition with over 200,000 signatures, calling for it to cancel all three shows. Ultimately, the Reelz digital cable network carried the Miss USA broadcast.
Macy’s deal
Just two days after Univision and NBC cut ties with Donald Trump, Macy’s (M) announced that it would discontinue its Donald Trump line of menswear in response to his comments. Macy’s had carried the clothing line since 2004, and Trump had appeared in television advertisements for the store.
“We are disappointed and distressed by recent remarks about immigrants from Mexico,” the store said. “Macy’s is a company that stands for diversity and inclusion.”
Trump responded with his opinion about why the companies had deemed his services surplus to requirements.
“Clearly, NBC (NBC) and Macy’s support illegal immigration,” he said. “Both Macy’s and NBC totally caved at the first sight of potential difficulty with special interest groups.”
Dubai deal
You may not have heard of the retailer called Lifestyle (LFSYF), but millions of Muslims in the Middle East, North Africa and elsewhere certainly have. On December 9, hot on the heels of his proposal to ban all Muslim immigration into the United States, CNN reported that the Dubai-based retailer had announced a ban on all of the Trump-branded home décor products in all 195 of its stores.
“In light of the recent statements made by the presidential candidate in the U.S. media, we have suspended sale of all products from the Trump Home décor range,” Lifestyle CEO Sachin Mundhwa said. He wasn’t alone.
“I think he damaged all his brand in all the Muslim countries,” said Khalaf Al-Habtoor, Dubai real estate tycoon and chairman of the Al Habtoor Group if the United Arab Emirates.
“He insulted 1.8 billion Muslims worldwide, and he has business in the Arab world,” al-Habtoor told The New York Times. “[R]espectable Muslims will refuse to work with him.”
Turnberry deal
Donald Trump is an avid golfer, and when he bought the legendary Scottish golf course known as Turnberry in 2014 for a rumored $60 million, he did so with the highest of hopes, that in 2020 the course would host the Open Championship. Also known as the Open and the British Open, it all means one thing – one of the major championships in professional golf, and a coup for any course that hosts it.
Until very recently, those with the inside track had said that the Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St. Andrews, the sport’s governing authority outside of the U.S., would probably hold the 2020 tournament at Trump Turnberry. However, after he had some harsh words for Muslims, Mexicans, women and China, The Independent on Sunday reported that he could now kiss those dreams goodbye, as one does an errant golf ball that disappears into the horizon.
“One word was thrown around: Enough,” said an anonymous source close to the championship committee who was quoted by The Independent. The publication also quoted another anonymous insider, who said bluntly, “2020 will not happen here.”
Trump’s efforts on the links were dealt another blow when the Scottish government approved the construction of wind turbines just two miles from the Trump International Golf Links resort, despite the facility’s attempt to block it. According to Bloomberg News, Trump said that the turbines would ruin the view, and the Trump Organization blasted the court’s decision in a statement.
“History will judge those involved unfavorably and the outcome demonstrates the foolish, small-minded and parochial mentality which dominates the current Scottish government’s dangerous experiment with wind energy,” it said.
Daniel Bukszpan is a New York-based freelance writer.
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