Donald Trump joined the controversy over the U.S. Olympics team’s foreign-made uniforms, saying they should be destroyed. He may not be the best messenger for that push.
The uniforms, designed by Ralph Lauren and privately financed, were made in China. Politicians, led by Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV) have been falling over one another to slam the company for not using American manufacturers.
Trump, who has previously accused China of “raping” America by taking jobs, got into the mix Friday on Twitter:
America’s Olympic uniforms are manufactured in China. Burn the uniforms!#U.S.OlympicCommittee
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) July 13, 2012
In an awkward twist, however, Trump manufactures his own personal brand of clothing in China, a fact he acknowledged last year while exploring a potential bid for president. His explanation: It’s cheaper that way.
“Because of the fact that China so manipulates their currency it makes it almost impossible for American companies to compete,” Trump told ABC News when confronted with the information.
Benjy Sarlin
Benjy Sarlin is a reporter for Talking Points Memo and co-writes the campaign blog, TPM2012. He previously reported for The Daily Beast/Newsweek as their Washington Correspondent and covered local politics for the New York Sun.
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