Donald Trump Jr. drew outrage Monday after posting a message on Twitter likening Syrian refugees to a bowl of poisoned Skittles.
The tweet featured a picture of a bowl of the candy with a warning:
This image says it all. Let's end the politically correct agenda that doesn't put America first. #trump2016 pic.twitter.com/9fHwog7ssN
— Donald Trump Jr. (@DonaldJTrumpJr) September 19, 2016
His tweet that sought to promote his father’s presidential campaign drew plenty of blowback on the social networking site.
Some responded to Trump Jr.’s tweet with photos of child refugees with the caption “Not Skittles.” Singer John Legend took a jab a Trump Jr. in a series of tweets.
By that logic, you would take everyone's guns away. Because someone is gonna kill somebody at some point. But I guess that doesn't count. https://t.co/3BraX0Ew19
— John Legend (@johnlegend) September 20, 2016
Oh and human beings fleeing oppression and terror aren't skittles. https://t.co/wXK24wvurK
— John Legend (@johnlegend) September 20, 2016
Nick Merrill, a press secretary for Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton, called the tweet “disgusting.”
This is disgusting. https://t.co/Qygl03Cnc1
— Nick Merrill (@NickMerrill) September 20, 2016
Denise Young, VP of Corporate Affairs for Wrigley Americas, which owns Skittles, addressed Trump Jr.’s tweet in a statement to The Hollywood Reporter.
“Skittles are candy. Refugees are people. We don't feel it's an appropriate analogy,” the statement read. “We will respectfully refrain from further commentary as anything we say could be misinterpreted as marketing.”
The Republican nominee has advocated sharply restraining immigration and has accused opponent Clinton of advocating acceptance of tens of thousands of refugees.
The tweet came as world leaders meeting at the United Nations on Monday approved a declaration aimed at providing a more coordinated and humane response to the global refugee crisis, among which Syrians are a major grouping.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.