NEWS

Greeley seniors petition to move prom from Trump golf club

Mark Lungariello
mlungariel@lohud.com

Donald Trump’s comments during his presidential run sent one-time business partners like NBC, Univision and the PGA of America heading for cover.

Now, if a group of incoming high school seniors gets its way, Horace Greeley will be the next in a long line of business partners to say: “You’re fired.”

Trump National Golf Club in Briarcliff Manor.

Julian Robles, 17, has launched an online petition to make sure his senior prom won’t be held at Trump National Golf Club – Westchester in Briarcliff Manor, where it's been held for several years.

Robles said he and his friends got the idea after a Facebook chat about potential Halloween costumes during which someone suggested buying masks and going as “The Donald.”

He’ll be voting in his first presidential election next year and said holding a school event at the club would be sending the wrong message for a school whose students consider themselves politically active and socially aware.

“The whole Trump thing seems to be a backward step for the school and what it and its students represent,” he said.

Real estate mogul Donald Trump announces his bid for the presidency at the Trump Tower on Fifth Avenue in New York City in June.

The petition, which Robles and his friends have circulated through social media, has 110 signatures as of Tuesday afternoon and the students are hoping for a response from the administration.

Trump brand could be vulnerable in Westchester

There have been questions over whether there will be local fallout from Trump's comments about immigrants and subsequent remarks about veterans and Fox news debate panelist Megyn Kelly. Robles, who identifies as Hispanic, said holding the prom was different from private individuals or companies playing golf at Trump courses and living in Trump-branded apartments.

"The problem here is our school is a public institution," he said.

A message left with a spokeswoman in the Chappaqua Central School District was not immediately returned.

Twitter: @marklungariello