At long last, settlements have been reached in separate lawsuits between the Trump Organization and two celebrity chefs, Geoffrey Zakarian and José Andrés. The settlement between the organization and Andrés was agreed upon last Friday, while Zakarian’s was announced on Monday. Both lawsuits arose when the chefs “abandoned plans to set up shop in the Trump International Hotel, in Washington’s Old Post Office building” after President Trump kicked off is campaign back in 2015. As a result, the president sued both chefs.
At long last, settlements have been reached in separate lawsuits between the Trump Organization and two celebrity chefs, Geoffrey Zakarian and José Andrés. The settlement between the organization and Andrés was agreed upon last Friday, while Zakarian’s was announced on Monday. Both lawsuits arose when the chefs “abandoned plans to set up shop in the Trump International Hotel, in Washington’s Old Post Office building” after President Trump kicked off is campaign back in 2015. As a result, the president sued both chefs.
But why did the chefs back out of the plans in the first place? Well, for those who don’t know, Zakarian chose to back out because of some of Trump’s comments about immigrants. In fact, the chef issued a written statement awhile back, saying “Mr. Trump’s comments about some Mexican immigrants’ being rapists and drug dealers do not in any way align with my personal core values.” He added that the comments made “it impossible for my company and I to move forward” with the restaurant plans. Andrés backed out for similar reasons.
Though the two “settlement announcements were made in joint statements among the parties,” the details and conditions are confidential. Nonetheless, both chefs, along with Donald Trump Jr., “one of two trustees with broad legal authority over President Trump’s assets,” report being pleased with the outcome. In a statement released Monday, Donald Trump Jr. said, “after an intense, two-year legal battle, we are pleased we were able to amicably resolve our differences and wish Geoffrey continued success.”
In addition, Zakarian “also acknowledged his satisfaction with the resolution.” As for Andrés, last Friday he said he was “excited about the prospect of working with the Trump Organization on programs to benefit the community,” and said in a statement, “I am pleased that we were able to resolve our differences and move forward cooperatively, as friends.”
Sources:
Celebrity Chef, Trump Organization Settle Lawsuit
Trump’s Company Settles Lawsuit With a Second Celebrity Chef
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