There is a growing movement among corporations to either not play a role in this summer's Republican National Convention or decrease their presence at the event because of Donald Trump's polarizing rise to the top of the polls.
According to
The New York Times, companies such as Apple, Google, and Walmart are re-evaluating their plans for the July 18-21 event in Cleveland. Walmart, for example, told the Times it has yet to decide whether it will match the $150,000 it gave to the 2012 convention, give a different amount, or steer clear of the 2016 convention altogether.
Coca-Cola, reports the Times, gave $660,000 to the 2012 convention but will only provide $75,000 this year.
An advocacy group called Color of Change, according to the Times, might be playing a behind-the-scenes role.
"Immediately cancel your sponsorship of a Donald Trump-led Republican National Convention," reads a
story on the group's website, which contains a petition with more than 130,000 signatures. "Any sponsorship of a Trump-led convention will be an endorsement of his hate-filled and racist rhetoric and runs counter to the values of your company."
The Times reports that the convention has $54 million in pledges, and it is seeking another $10 million to cover the total cost of the event.
Trump has offended many people during his campaign for president, but despite that
he has a strong lead in the delegate total with 18 states left to vote. His closest competitor, Texas Sen. Ted Cruz, has 463 votes compared to Trump's 736.
On Wednesday,
Trump said if abortion were to become illegal in the United States, women who undergo the procedure should face "some form of punishment."
His comments on illegal immigration have also ruffled feathers in many circles.
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