Trump has taken to Twitter to express his thoughts on Whisky producer Glenfiddich’s “Top Scot” honour. He has labelled the award given to Michael Forbes, an opponent to the Trump International Golf Course, as an “embarrassment” to Scotland.
The announcements made by Trump on Twitter on Tuesday night branded farmer Michael Forbes as a “loser” and described Glenfiddich as a “bad liquor company”. The billionaire businessman even hinted that the award was a “publicity stunt” and added that Andy Murray, the US Open tennis champion, should have been given the honour at the ceremony in Edinburgh, Scotland’s capital.
Trump went on to state that he and his new course (Trump International Golf Links) had provided jobs and tourism to Scotland and added that “Scots must be very embarrassed”. His rant then ended with another endorsement for his new links project at the Menie Estate, Aberdeenshire.
Trump International Golf Links is a truly marvellous course set in a stunning location, however this location comes at the price of plenty of controversy surrounding the construction and development
Michael Forbes, the man who had his property described as a “slum” by Trump, said, “I don’t feel vindicated by the award, because I have never received an apology from Trump – not that I’m expecting one – or from Alex Salmond.”
Trump has even gone as so far as calling for Scots to stop drinking Glenfiddich, one of the worlds’ best selling Whisky’s. He effectively stated that the “Top Scot” award was rigged in favour of the 60 year old Scottish farmer.
He said “I hereby call for a boycott on Glenfiddich products, because there is no way a result such as this could have been made by the Scottish people.
“This will go down as one of the great jokes ever played on the Scottish people.
“If Glenfiddich had integrity, they would investigate who voted, and would find that the votes formed part of an organised campaign, with multiple votes made by a small group of detractors, who are angry that they not only lost, but lost so badly.”
However Glenfiddich has hit back at the accusations made by the outspoken American property developer.
A spokesperson from the beverage company said, “Glenfiddich established the awards 15 years ago. From the outset, it was made clear that the winners would be chosen by public vote. Top Scot is a totally open category in which the people of Scotland can vote for whomever they choose.
“The only restriction (given that these are the Spirit of Scotland Awards) is that the nominee must be either a Scot or someone who has chosen to live and work in Scotland.
“In the history of these awards, we are not aware of the Top Scot award causing any offence or upset to anyone and it is not our intention to do so now. These awards were set up to give the people of Scotland a vote and we must respect their decision.”
There has been a great deal of both good and bad publicity surrounding Donald Trump and his golf course ever since he purchased the land in 2006. It has led to protests, arguments within the Scottish Parliament and even a BBC Two production named “You’ve Been Trumped”. Safe to say Trump and his golf course have provided plenty for the golf world to talk about over the past few years and will continue to cause controversy and debate in the future as Trump looks to continue with plans for a second course and hotel. There’s no doubt that if given the opportunity to play the course most golfers would jump straight at it! There have been a number of rave reviews since the course opened in the summer, with many stating that it is “one of the greatest in the world.”
Here’s a look at the tweets in question:
https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/275998837166972928
https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/275998813519495168
https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/275999246333915136
https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/275999214415257600
https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/276064845311406080
of course Andy Murray and the other Svottish Olympians and Paralympians, were honoured by Spirit of Scotland Awards by Glenfddich. Trump as ever shouts before engaging brain.