Dubai retailer bans Trump products from its stores

While Donald Trump remains steadfastly unapologetic over his calls for a “complete shutdown” on Muslims entering the US, over in the Middle East – where he has a number of business dealings – it appears the Republican frontrunner’s face is slowly being erased.

Trump triggered an worldwide uproar when he made his comments in response to last week’s deadly shootings in California by two Muslims who authorities said were radicalised.

Developer Damac Properties Dubai Co., which is building two Trump-branded golf courses along with 104 mansions, said on December 8 it wouldn’t comment on the “personal or political agenda” of the leading Republican candidate.

On Thursday Trump was unapologetic. “Be honest”, he said in a tweet.

Earlier this week, United Arab Emirates-based retailer Lifestyle – part of the Landmark Group – also confirmed to Quartz that it would be pulling Trump Home branded products from its 160-plus stores.

According to USA Today, DAMAC properties removed Trump’s image and name from the “Akoya by DAMAC” site, seemingly scrubbing the Trump brand from the course.

“Obviously you can see what has happened, but I have no comment on it”, DAMAC spokesman Raed Gerges told the newspaper.

The candidate said Thursday that he canceled a planned visit to Israel, a day after Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu rejected Trump’s comments about Muslims.

Update: The Trump Organization issued the following statement to Associated Press: “The exterior signage at Trump International Golf Club, Dubai was temporarily removed on Tuesday for a short period of time, however… the signage is back up and fully intact”.

Scottish First Minister Nicola Sturgeon revoked his membership of the GlobalScot business network, saying he was no longer fit to act as a business ambassador for Scotland.

The backlash has not been limited to the Islamic world, however, as Trump has also been strongly criticized by prominent politicians in the United Kingdom, with a petition on the government’s website calling for him to be banned from entering collecting more signatures than any other.

The real estate mogul and reality TV star now makes most of his money from licensing his name on golf courses, luxury developments and retail goods, rather than owning buildings.

Al Tayer called Trump’s comments “unfortunate” in a statement to regional news site Arabian Business, but could not be reached for comment on whether it would continue to sell his products.