Why Macy's should keep Donald Trump

Yes, he's a blowhard. But he sells quite a few items for Macy's, and so far, he hasn't crossed the foul line into dealbreaking territory.

By Kim Peterson Nov 14, 2012 6:10PM
Credit: Donna Ward/Getty Images
Caption: Donald Trump leaves 'The Late Show with David Letterman' at Ed Sullivan Theater on October 25, 2012While angry Republicans are pushing to secede from the United States after the election, angry Democrats are pressuring Macy's (M) to separate from Donald Trump.

The hot-headed billionaire has a line of shirts, ties, suits and even his own fragrance at Macy's. A constant critic of President Obama, he called last week's election "a total sham and a travesty" and a "great and disgusting injustice."

Those comments helped spur some 500,000 people to sign an online petition requesting that Macy's dump Trump. The petition, Bloomberg reports, was started by Angelo Carusone, who mounted a "StopBeck" campaign that he said resulted in anchor Glenn Beck leaving Fox News.

"If I stood inside a Macy’s store and said the things that Trump has said, security would escort me out," Carusone told Bloomberg. Macy's told the news service that its merchandise doesn't reflect any political position.

Carusone, 30, is pushing for more action. He wants petition signers to cut up their Macy's credit cards, according to the Today show. If he continues to get no response from the retailer, who knows what he might have planned for the Macy's Thanksgiving Day parade on Nov. 22.

A lot of people apparently agree with him. In a survey on the Today show site, 76% of the 34,000 respondents said that Macy's should pull an advertisement featuring Trump.

I disagree. This petition is as dumb as the ones in favor of seceding from the U.S. Look, Trump is a blowhard, a hypocrite and just plain mean, but his name works for Macy's. His brand sells clothes. Check out these reviews of just the ties in his collection.

Macy's undoubtedly has a code of conduct for Trump and other celebrities whose brands it carries. "Don't trash Macy's" is probably at the top of the list. But I imagine it gives those celebrities fairly free rein when it comes to non-Macy's subjects.

Macy's knew exactly what it was getting when it partnered with Trump. It's not as if "The Donald" has only recently begun rattling off incendiary and obnoxious comments. The more Trump says, the higher his profile gets and the more exposure his brand gets.

There's a delicate line that celebrities should not cross if they want to keep endorsements. Michael Phelps lost support from AT&T (T) and others after he was caught smoking marijuana. The "Got Milk?" campaign dumped Chris Brown after he was accused of assaulting his then-girlfriend Rihanna. Just about everyone jilted Tiger Woods after a long list of shocking revelations emerged. Aflac fired Gilbert Gottfried after he made wildly inappropriate comments on Twitter about the Japanese earthquake and tsunami.

But so far, Trump is still the same Trump that Macy's hired. Macy's should keep him and people who don't like it should vote with their wallets. If their voices get louder than Trump's, Macy's will take action.

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558Comments
Nov 14, 2012 8:01PM
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I thought that is one of the reasons we live in the United States.  Free speech.  Let him say what he wants because you are writing what you want.  Let everyone make their OWN choices as to what they want to hear or read. What he says and what you write does not dictate what I buy.

 

 

Nov 14, 2012 7:59PM
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I would never support any company that sold Trump products or promoted him in any way.  Macys, Trump properties and casinos are off limits to me!  Trump has disrespected the President of the United States for four years and should be marginalized by the US community.  He looked like the fool he is when Letterman exposed where his products were made.  He has made enough money to from bailouts to live anywhere he wants.  Why doesn't he just leave.  Having an American birth certificate does not make you an American!  Caring about other American people who are less fortunate, does!
Nov 14, 2012 7:38PM
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What I find very ironic is that all of Chumps ties and goods are made where????  Ding, ding, ding, ding and the correct answer is China. The hypocrisy from this badger hairpiece wearing knuckle head is beyond description. These right wing birther republican teabag taliban clowns and especially Trump should just pick up and get the hell out if they dislike this country that much. But one thing donald, when you claim bancruptcy in another country like you did here on four seperate occasions, other governments won't bail you out like they did here every single time you idiot!!!!!!!
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