Reports emerged early Wednesday that Kawasaki would stop sponsoring "The New Celebrity Apprentice" because of Donald Trump's involvement in the show, but the company denied that claim later in the evening, saying the employee who told Reuters that information was no longer with the company.
"Throughout its 50-year history in the United States, Kawasaki Motor Corp., USA, its subsidiaries and affiliates, have remained neutral in regards to American politics," the Japanese motoring company said in a statement on its website.
"Recently published comments relating to 'The New Celebrity Apprentice' and President-elect Donald Trump's involvement in the show are a misrepresentation of the company's position."
Early Wednesday, Reuters reported Kawasaki was pulling its sponsorship because of Trump's ties to the production – he is no longer on the show but is still listed as an executive producer.
"Once we understood the concerns of American citizens, we have taken the approach of agreeing not to participate in the show in the future as long as Mr. Trump is involved as an executive producer," Kawasaki Motors Corp USA spokesman Kevin Allen told the news outlet.
"We, along with many other Americans, feel that there should be a separation between our president and the media."
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