Rolex Admits to Warren: Trump “Ask[ed] in Jest Whether He Would Have Been Invited Had It Not Been for the Tariffs”

Rolex Admits to Warren: Trump "Ask[ed] in Jest Whether He Would Have Been Invited Had It Not Been for the Tariffs"

Rolex CEO: "President Trump, never one to miss a rhetorical opportunity, did ask in jest whether he would have been invited had it not been for the tariffs-a moment that brought a round of laughter all around and, as you can imagine, a swift return of attention to the unfolding excitement on court."

Text of Letter (PDF)

Washington, D.C. - Following a letter from Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), Rolex CEO Jean-Frederic Dufour detailed the circumstances of President Trump's invitation to the U.S. Open and their conversations at the match.

"President Trump, never one to miss a rhetorical opportunity, did ask in jest whether he would have been invited had it not been for the tariffs-a moment that brought a round of laughter all around and, as you can imagine, a swift return of attention to the unfolding excitement on court." Dufour wrote.

"Corruption is not a laughing matter," said Senator Warren. "While families are getting crushed by Trump's chaotic tariffs, Donald Trump and his rich friends are laughing about tariffs in a fancy box sponsored by a luxury watch brand. How much more out of touch can Trump be?"

On August 7, the Trump Administration levied a 39 percent tariff on Swiss imports-including luxury watches like Rolexes. Just a few weeks later, Rolex invited President Trump to attend the U.S. Open in the company's luxury box. In her initial letter, Senator Warren pressed for answers about the company's invitation to President Trump, given his record of doling out special treatment to CEOs who are able to woo him with flattery, payoffs, or both.

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