Trump Blasts Retailer Nordstrom For Dropping Ivanka’s Products

Trump’s web of international companies remains a bit opaque, especially since he hasn’t publicised his tax returns

US President Donald Trump, with his daughter, Ivanka. (Photo: Reuters)

President Donald Trump blasted department store chain Nordstrom Inc on Wednesday for dropping his daughter Ivanka's clothing line, prompting critics to accuse him of misusing public office to benefit his family's sprawling business empire.

After Trump's highly unusual move to use a White House platform to intervene in a commercial matter involving his daughter, Nordstrom reiterated that its action last week was based on declining sales of the Ivanka Trump products. But White House spokesman Sean Spicer characterised the move as a "direct attack" on the president's policies.

Trump took to Twitter to express his frustrations :

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Ethical Concerns

Ethics officials who served past Republican and Democratic administrations said Trump's tweet was both unprecedented for a president and troublesome.

“This is misuse of public office for private gains,” Richard Painter, who served as Republican President George W Bush’s chief ethics lawyer, said in an email to Reuters. “And it is abuse of power because the official message is clear Nordstrom is persona non grata with the administration.”

Ivanka Trump ran a clothing and jewellery business bearing her name, in addition to other work for the Trump Organization, before saying she would resign when her father was sworn in as president. Her father's various contentious actions and comments have prompted boycott efforts by critics and have driven some consumers away from Trump family businesses.

A spokeswoman for the Ivanka Trump brand declined to comment.

Trump Still Retains Control of Business Empire

Norman Eisen, an ethics adviser to Democratic President Barack Obama, noted that several states have unfair competition laws, including California where Nordstrom operates many stores. The tweet, he said, could spark lawsuits if the company's brand was being injured by an unfair attack.

Trump on 11 January said he would maintain ownership of his global business empire but hand off control to his two oldest sons during his presidency. Trump's web of international companies remains a bit opaque since he has refused to release his tax returns, which experts have said would provide a clearer view of his business interests.

Also Read: Nordstrom Inc Winds Down Relationship With Ivanka Trump Brand

Rising Campaign Against Trump Family Products

Retailers still selling Ivanka Trump products include Macys Inc, TJX Cos, Hudson's Bay Co, which runs high-end chains like Lord & Taylor, and Dillards Inc. Retailers that have dropped Ivanka Trump include Neiman Marcus and HSN Inc.

The move by some retailers to drop her products comes amid an ongoing campaign called #GrabYourWallet, which encourages shoppers to boycott products with ties to President Trump, his family and his donors. Use of the hashtag on Twitter rose dramatically on Wednesday.

(Published in an arrangement with Reuters.)