October 1, 2016 | No Comments
A major financial trade group has apologized for a speech Rudy Giuliani gave in which the former New York City mayor and Donald Trump adviser made pointed comments about Mexican immigrants.
At the Commercial Finance Association’s 40 Under 40 dinner at the Waldorf Astoria Hotel in New York Monday, Giuliani veered off a speech that was supposed to be about leadership to talking about immigration and terrorism, according to a New York Observer report published Friday.
The association’s CEO wrote in an email sent to attendees that Giuliani “presented unscripted personal opinions which were independent of CFA’s political position or core values.”
“While we, the event organizers, made every attempt to direct Mr. Giuliani’s remarks ahead of time to focus on leadership, for which he is renowned and has authored a book, there is always the possibility of such a surprise at a live event,” Bob Trojan wrote.
Attendees of the event told the Observer that Giuliani made comments about “Mexicans in the kitchen at the Waldorf” and how Mexicans are coming to the U.S. to work illegally in kitchens.
Immigration has been a major focus of the Trump campaign, with Giuliani supporting and coming to bat numerous times for the GOP nominee’s plans.
The apology came a day before Giuliani was nixed as the keynote speaker for this year’s International Council of Shopping Centers’ New York National Deal Making Conference.
The Observer is part of the news media company owned by Trump’s son-in-law Jared Kushner, who has also acted as an adviser to the Republican nominee.