Those close to Trump have rallied behind the country’s largest Hispanic-owned food company when it faced criticism after its CEO Robert Unanue praised the president last week.
Immigration advocates and Trump critics have vowed to boycott Goya Foods after Unanue said during the unveiling of the president’s Hispanic Prosperity Initiative last week that “we are all truly blessed” to have Trump as president.
However, the optics of the image shared on Instagram of Trump giving the thumbs up next to the firm’s products on his White House desk as coronavirus cases continue to rise irked the Cuomo Prime Time host so much that he resorted to a swear word that went out live on air.
“You tell me how a president, in the middle of a pandemic, has got time for this bulls***” Cuomo said. “Are you kidding me? Hawking products? Resolute desk! This is what he’s resolute about.”
Cuomo referred to an earlier image that went viral of presidential adviser Ivanka Trump holding up a can of Goya black beans, which sparked criticism over whether she was using her position to promote a business.
“On your dime, in the middle of a pandemic, they’re selling beans,” said an incredulous Cuomo, who has recovered from COVID-19.
“Are you kidding me? Seriously? Seriously? This is not left and right, this is reasonable my brothers and sisters. The guy is sitting on the Resolute desk, with a bunch of Goya products.”
Newsweek has contacted the White House for comment.
Unanue was unapologetic for the remarks praising Trump, telling Fox & Friends that the blowback was a “suppression of speech.”
On Wednesday, the president tweeted that Goya was “doing GREAT,” adding, “The Radical Left smear machine backfired, people are buying like crazy!”
In a statement to The Washington Post on Wednesday, White House spokeswoman Carolina Hurley said: “Ivanka is proud of this strong, Hispanic-owned business with deep roots in the U.S. and has every right to express her personal support.”
