Trump’s son compares Syrian refugees to Skittles

Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump’s son has taken to Twitter to liken Syrian refugees to a bowl of potentially deadly Skittles.

Seeking to promote his father’s presidential campaign, Donald Trump Jr posted the controversial message as he called for an end to the “politically correct agenda that doesn’t put America first”.

This image says it all. Let's end the politically correct agenda that doesn't put America first. #trump2016 pic.twitter.com/9fHwog7ssN

— Donald Trump Jr. (@DonaldJTrumpJr) September 19, 2016

The tweet came as world leaders met at the United Nations on Monday and approved a declaration aimed at providing a more coordinated and humane response to the global refugee crisis, of which Syrians make a substantial part.

Trump has aggressively advocated for a moratorium on accepting Syrian refugees and has spoken of erecting a wall on US-Mexico border to stop immigrants coming from Latin American countries.

He has criticised his opponent Hillary Clinton for encouraging the acceptance of about 65,000 Syrian refugees into the country, as she has expressed interest in expanding President Barack Obama’s refugee programme.

Younger Trump’s remark prompted a Twitter response from Mars Global, the parent company of Wrigley, which produces Skittles.

“Skittles are candy. Refugees are people. We don’t feel it’s an appropriate analogy,” said the statement. “We will respectfully refrain from further commentary as anything we say could be misinterpreted as marketing.”

pic.twitter.com/VUwYKzqujc

— Mars, Incorporated (@MarsGlobal) September 20, 2016

Social media users have taken to Twitter to express their outage, making #Skittleswelcome trend.

By that logic, you would take everyone’s guns away. Because someone is gonna kill somebody at some point. But I guess that doesn’t count. https://t.co/3BraX0Ew19

By that logic, you would take everyone's guns away. Because someone is gonna kill somebody at some point. But I guess that doesn't count. https://t.co/3BraX0Ew19

— John Legend (@johnlegend) September 20, 2016

Skittles. pic.twitter.com/kpGVkh8IUl

https://twitter.com/NishWeiseth/status/778056795180769281
https://twitter.com/drewharwell/status/778037286730555392