Trump Jr. draws outrage after likening Syrian refugees to poisoned Skittles

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Donald Trump Jr. under fire for Skittles tweet

Candidate's son compared refugees to candy

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:

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.

Nick Merrill, a press secretary for Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton, called the tweet “disgusting.”

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.