Mega-Chef Jose Andres Says He Won’t Open Restaurant At Trump’s DC Hotel

FILE - This March 15, 2011, file photo, shows chef Jose Andres at his Minibar restaurant in Washington. Andres is backing out of a plan to open a flagship restaurant in Donald Trump’s new hotel under construction i... FILE - This March 15, 2011, file photo, shows chef Jose Andres at his Minibar restaurant in Washington. Andres is backing out of a plan to open a flagship restaurant in Donald Trump’s new hotel under construction in Washington. Andres issued a statement July 8, citing Trump’s statements "disparaging immigrants" in his decision to cancel plans for a new eatery at the Trump International Hotel. Andres is a Spanish immigrant and recently became a U.S. citizen. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin, File) MORE LESS
Start your day with TPM.
Sign up for the Morning Memo newsletter

Donald Trump is taking another blow in the business realm as a result of his off-color commentary about Mexican immigrants, with Jose Andres, the mega-chef credited with introducing small plates to American dining, announcing he’s backing out of a deal to open a flagship restaurant in Trump’s new D.C. hotel.

Andres the co-owner of ThinkFoodGroup, which boasts some 18 restaurants, told the Washington Post the decision is to cut ties is both a personal and professional one.

“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,” the statement provided to the Post said.

The construction crew building Trump’s new luxury hotel – located just blocks from the White House on Pennsylvania Avenue – also reportedly includes undocumented Hispanic workers.

Andres has long been a vocal supporter of immigration reform to provide a legal path to American citizenship.

The news comes as business entities are axing ties with Trump after he said Mexican drug dealers and “rapists” are illegally pouring across the border. Trump has refused to apologize or back down from the comments made in his presidential campaign launch, although he admitted in a recent interview that the backlash has been more “severe” than he expected.

Latest Livewire
Comments
Masthead Masthead
Founder & Editor-in-Chief:
Executive Editor:
Managing Editor:
Associate Editor:
Editor at Large:
General Counsel:
Publisher:
Head of Product:
Director of Technology:
Associate Publisher:
Front End Developer:
Senior Designer: