The Detroit Foundation Hotel faces accusations of MAGAphobia.
A group supporting President Trump’s border wall – We Build the Wall – started as a GoFundMe campaign to raise money to help fulfill the president’s campaign promise. It’s since morphed into a touring town hall with conservative leaders including former White House strategist Steve Bannon, former Kansas Secretary of State Kris Kobach, and former Milwaukee County Sheriff David Clarke.
A We Build The Wall town hall originally scheduled for Warren, Michigan on Thursday was moved to Detroit’s Cobo Hall to accommodate more people, and organizers contacted the Detroit Foundation Hotel to book rooms across the street.
“When we called, we were initially given the group discount rate,” Jennifer Lawrence, We Build the Wall communications director, told WXYZ. “About 30 minutes later we sent over the list, we got a call back saying they’re in a tough position. Just pretty much saying that they had to rescind their group offer. We were more than welcome to book at the regular rate, but I mean we have like 20 rooms.”
In emails to the group’s leader, triple amputee Purple Heart veteran Brian Kolfage, the sales person at the Detroit Foundation Hotel initially seems excited about the big group, but quickly turned sour when Kolfage forwarded the names of the group’s guests, according to The Gateway Pundit, a conservative news site and sponsor of the town hall.
“Thanks so much for taking the time to send over this information. After reviewing our hotel’s position, unfortunately we are going to have to withdraw our group offer for this program,” the email read. “We are in a bit of a tough spot at the moment, and feel it’s best to walk away.
“Your guests are more than welcome to book on their own through our website, but we cannot place a group offer. I’m sorry, please let me know if you need anything else.”
Kolfage was livid because the snub essentially meant the Detroit Foundation Hotel would only allow Trump supporters to stay if they pay a higher rate than other groups. Instead of the group rate of $186 per person, the hotel wanted $250, a difference of about $1,300 for 20 rooms.
“I was truly shocked that I had to inform our Angel families whose sons were both murdered by illegal aliens that they were not welcome to stay at the Foundation Hotel in Detroit. I grew up in this area, and I gave three limbs for the freedom of our citizens, this is not what I fought for, this is not acceptable!” he told The Gateway Pundit.
“This hotel has a track record of discrimination and African Americans have filed a lawsuit against them two months ago, and now we are being advised by our general counsel to file a discrimination lawsuit. We’re going to stand up for everyone’s rights in this country regardless of skin color and political opinion,” Kolfage continued.
“The Foundation Hotel Management should be ashamed of their actions and I hope the citizens of Detroit realize that racism and discrimination should not be tolerated especially after what Detroit has been through over the past century.”
Public backlash from the discrimination eventually forced management at the Detroit Foundation Hotel to come to its senses.
“The Foundation Hotel apologizes that a position that does not reflect our policy was in anyway represented to a potential guest and that an unauthorized decision to rescind a standing offer was made,” the hotel wrote in a prepared statement to WZYZ.
“We have taken necessary steps to resolve the situation. The discount group offer for the party in question is extended. The Foundation Hotel does not discriminate against guests based on race, creed, color, ethnicity, national origin, religion, political affiliation, sex, sexual orientation, gender expression, age physical or mental ability, veteran status, and marital status,” it continued. “The hotel was built on the very premises of being inclusive and serving the community in all ways it can.”
It’s unclear how many, if any, of the group from We Build the Wall stayed at the hotel.
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