Gothamist
A non-profit newsroom, powered by WNYC.
Gothamist
Listen Live
News
Making Fun Of NJ Accent Is Racist, Says Trump Aide
By
Jen Chung
Published Oct 6, 2009
Modified Oct 6, 2009
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
Never miss a story
Email address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .
By
Jen Chung
Published Oct 6, 2009
Modified Oct 6, 2009
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
We rely on your support to make local news available to all
Make your contribution now and help Gothamist thrive in 2026. Donate today
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
After being embroiled in the Moammar Gadfhafi-Bedouin tent affair last month, now the Trump Organization is wading into European waters with its latest spat: An employee is taking offense at a Scottish lawmaker's reference to "Noo Joysee"!! Seriously, Trump's development director claims the comments were racist.
According to the Telegraph, the Trump Organization and Scottish officials have been squabbling over Trump's plans for a golf resort in Aberdeen, Scotland. Apparently a council member, Sam Coull, sent a letter on official council letterhead to a Trump employee, "Only a few weeks ago, your [development director George] Sorial was reported in The Scotsman newspaper as describing myself and three colleagues as scoundrels**. ’Scoundrel’ may be a term of endearment in Noo Joysee and scoundrels very probably abound the streets and tower blocks there.** But I have never met your Mr Sorial."
Sorial then got upset: "He made fun of my New Jersey accent. I can respect that he disagrees with what we are doing but when you start making comments which I believe to be racist, I think you have stepped over the line." And PS: Sorial is a British citizen, "I was born in the UK, I have a British passport - I'm as British as he is, and he doesn't have any right to make fun of my accent. I think the fact that he did it on government paper is an abuse of power. There is never any excuse for a racist attack like that." But Coull says he was just being "flippant" and points out he's not upset about being called a scoundrel.
Tagged
accent
new jersey
racist
trump organization
Jen Chung
Jen Chung is a former WNYC and Gothamist editor.
Read more
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
MORE news
NY Gov. Kathy Hochul, Bruce Blakeman spar over immigration, cost of living in debate
The Democratic incumbent repeatedly invoked President Donald Trump. The Republican challenger largely avoided bringing up New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani.
By
Jon Campbell
Published Oct 13, 2026 at 9:05 p.m. ET
Manhattan neurologist charged with sexually abusing 2 patients, DA says
Prosecutors say Dr. Tariq Lamki abused two patients during appointments at a medical practice near Stuyvesant Town.
By
Giulia Heyward
News
Manhattan neurologist charged with sexually abusing 2 patients, DA says
Prosecutors say Dr. Tariq Lamki abused two patients during appointments at a medical practice near Stuyvesant Town.
By
Giulia Heyward
Years of bus headaches start Thursday as Port Authority advances Midtown terminal work
By
Ramsey Khalifeh
and
Carol Chen
ICE admits to using Roxbury, NJ warehouse site to process immigrants
By
Mike Hayes
Dolan's offer: Donations to Blakeman for Knicks tickets
By
Walter Wuthmann
Never miss a story
Catch up on the most important headlines with a roundup of essential NYC stories, delivered to your inbox daily.
Sign upEmail address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .