Spanish-American Chef José Andrés Pulls Restaurant from Trump Hotel
Spanish-American celebrity Chef José Andrés has canceled his plans to open a restaurant at the Trump International Hotel.
Andrés, who made the announcement on Wednesday, has jumped on the anti-Trump train, joining a growing list of prominent companies and individuals to cut ties with Trump over his harsh remarks, including NBC, Univision, Macy's, NASCAR and the PGA.
Known for his exquisite tapas, Andrés is also the co-owner of ThinkFoodGroup, which includes 18 restaurants and food trucks, multiple cookbooks and TV shows. In a statement to The Washington Post, he described cutting ties with Trump as "both a professional and personal one."
"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.," according to the statement. "More than half of my team is Hispanic, as are many of our guests."
Andrés was reportedly in the process of opening the flagship restaurant in Trump's new hotel, which is under construction in Washington.
Proud of his Spanish roots and grateful to the U.S., Andrés reflected on becoming a citizen in 2013.
"And, as a proud Spanish immigrant and recently naturalized American citizen myself, I believe that every human being deserves respect, regardless of immigration status," Andrés added.
According to The Washington Post, the details of the terms of the lease Andrés had signed with Trump's organization for the restaurant will not be divulged. The restaurant was slated to open in 2016 in Trump's $200 million redevelopment of the historic Old Post Office Pavilion.
Trump's camp is of course retaliating -- and for big bucks.
In an email response, Trump's son, Donald Trump Jr., indicated that the contract was for 10 years and that they could sue for unpaid rent and other damages that could result in a potentially hefty lawsuit.
"Our relationship with José Andrés has always been a good one, but simply put, José has no right to terminate or otherwise abandon his obligations under the lease," Trump Jr. wrote. "In the event Mr. Andrés defaults in the performance of his obligations, we will not hesitate to take legal action to recover all unpaid rent for the entire 10 year term together with all attorneys' fees and additional damages we may sustain."
He also went on to say that they will take further action and prevent Andrés from opening a competing restaurant within the D.C area.
The National Immigration Forum was thrilled to hear this latest turn of events and praised Andrés' taking a stand within the culinary world.
"We commend José Andrés and all those who recognize that there's no place for Trump's xenophobic remarks," said Ali Noorani, executive director of the National Immigration Forum in a press release. "Their response sends a clear message: Immigration is about people, not about prejudice and political expediency.
"Our country and our Congress need to have a serious conversation about immigrants and immigration. How do we respond to demographic change so our economy grows and all of us thrive? How do we develop policy that ensures new Americans have the opportunities, skills and status they need to contribute fully?
"The questions are challenging, but at least one answer is clear. Derogatory remarks that insult millions of hardworking Americans, including immigrants, have no place in the conversation."