President Trump’s company has ended a legal dispute with Washington, D.C., celebrity chef José Andrés that began in 2015, according to a new report.
The Trump Organization announced Friday it had settled with Andrés after the chef pulled out of a planned collaboration due to Trump’s immigration rhetoric, The Washington Post said.
“I am glad that we are able to put this matter behind us and move forward as friends,” Donald Trump Jr., the president’s son, said in a joint statement with Andrés’ ThinkFoodGroup. “Without question, this is a ‘win-win’ for both of our companies.”
{mosads}“Going forward, we are excited about the prospects of working together with the Trump Organization on a variety of programs to benefit the community,” Andrés added.
The Post said spokespeople for both the Trump Organization and ThinkFoodGroup declined to comment on the settlement’s terms, which were not disclosed.
Donald Trump sued Andrés in 2015 after the chef refused to open a restaurant in his D.C. hotel.
Andrés, who is an immigrant from Spain, took offense when Trump launched his Oval Office bid that June by fiercely criticizing immigrants from Mexico.
“When Mexico sends its people, they’re not sending their best,” Donald Trump said June 16, 2015, at Trump Tower in New York City. “They’re bringing drugs. They’re bringing crime. They’re rapists. And some, I assume, are good people.”
Trump, then a Republican White House hopeful, sued Andrés for $10 million, alleging a breach of contract.
The pair’s legal dispute led to Trump completing a deposition just under two weeks from Inauguration Day.
The Trump International Hotel opened in D.C. last October and features chef David Burke’s BLT Prime restaurant instead of Andrés’ creation.