Trump sues celeb chef José Andrés for $10M
GOP presidential candidate Donald Trump is suing celebrity chef José Andrés.
Trump’s legal representatives filed a lawsuit against the world-famous chef Friday in Washington, D.C., according to NBC Washington.
A group representing Trump’s renovation of the District’s Old Post Office Pavilion is now seeking $10 million in damages from Andrés, arguing Andrés breached a contract by refusing last month to build a restaurant at the D.C. property.
Andrés announced the change of heart July 8 following Trump’s sharp criticism of illegal immigrants and Mexicans.
{mosads}“Mr. Andrés’ offense is curious in light of the fact that Mr. Trump’s publicly shared views on immigration have remained consistent for many years, and Mr. Trump’s willingness to frankly share his opinions is widely known,” reads the suit, filed in a federal court Friday.
Trump’s developers are seeking damages including legal fees, the cost of hiring a new tenant and other expenses.
Their suit also claims Andrés “demanded that Trump’s personal opinions not be ‘repeated, repeated or further disseminated,’ ” the report said.
Legal representatives for Trump say nothing in his sublease with Andrés permits a right to terminate their contract over personal offense.
Trump sparked international outrage by strongly berating illegal immigrants, particularly those from Mexico, during his 2016 campaign launch in June.
“They’re sending people who have a lot of problems,” he said at New York City’s Trump Tower on June 16.
“They’re bringing drugs. They’re bringing crime. They’re rapists,” Trump added. “And some, I assume, are good people.”
“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.,” Andrés said in a statement in July.
“More than half my team is Hispanic, as are many of our guests,” he added. “And, as a proud Spanish and recently nationalized citizen myself, I believe that every human being deserves respect, regardless of immigration status.”
Andrés had a 10-year deal with Trump to open a nearly 10,000-square-foot restaurant at his $200 million Trump International Hotel in Washington, D.C.
The internationally renowned cook is not the only business partner who severed ties with Trump following his remarks about immigration.
Macy’s, NASCAR, NBC and Univision also jettisoned deals with the reality television star.
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