Arab developers dump Trump
You are a disgrace not only to the GOP but to all America. Saudi Prince Alwaleed bin Talal tells Donald Trump, via Twitter, to withdraw from the US presidential race
The image and name of American presidential hopeful Donald Trump have disappeared from parts of a golf course and housing development under construction in Dubai, amid the uproar over his comments about banning Muslims from travelling to the United States.
The disappearance of at least some Trump branding from the multibillion-dollar development comes as concerns over his comments grow in the Middle East, a region in which he has sought money-making opportunities.
One of the world’s wealthiest businessmen, Saudi Prince Alwaleed bin Talal, had sharp words for Trump yesterday, telling him via Twitter to withdraw from the US presidential race, ‘‘as you will never win.’’
‘‘You are a disgrace not only to the GOP but to all America,’’ he wrote. The billionaire prince is chairman of investment firm Kingdom Holding Company.
The company behind the Trump Towers in Istanbul, meanwhile, said it was ‘‘assessing’’ its partnership with the Republican presidential front-runner.
In Dubai, Trump had a deal with Damac Properties to license his name and image for a housing project and two golf courses, for an undisclosed sum.
Yesterday, a prominent advertising billboard showing Trump golfing that had stood at the Akoya development, where the housing and one of the golf courses is being built, was gone. Trump’s name also appeared to have been pulled off a sign greeting visitors to the complex.
‘‘The exterior signage at Trump International Golf Club, Dubai was temporarily removed on Tuesday for a short period of time. However, as of last night, the signage is back up and fully intact,’’ the Trump Organisation said.
The Damac webpage dedicated to a gated community which is part of the development appeared to have been removed.
Since the development is still under construction, the removal of the branding with Trump’s name and image seemed to be largely symbolic. It is not known if it signals that Damac will break the licensing contract.
Damac Properties has declined to comment on the removal of Trump’s name and billboard. It earlier said it ‘‘would not comment further on Mr Trump’s personal or political agenda, nor comment on the internal American political debate scene’’.
Damac shares have fallen in the wake of Trump’s comments, losing more than 15 per cent over the past week.
Trump increasingly has used such a licensing model in recent years, lending his name to others around the world rather than developing big real estate projects himself.
But some of his rhetoric about Islam on the campaign trail – including his call to monitor mosques, and his proposal this week to temporarily bar Muslims from entering the US – has led to increased wariness in the Arab world. Earlier this week, Dubaibased Landmark Group pulled all Trump home decor products from its 180 Lifestyle stores over his comments.
Bulent Kural, the general manager of Trump Towers in Istanbul, said his company ‘‘regrets and condemns’’ Trump’s call to ban Muslims from entering the US The towers are another project for which Trump licensed his brand.