Marvel Entertainment CEO Isaac “Ike” Perlmutter is facing heavy criticism for donating $1 million to American veterans on Thursday night for an event hosted by Republican presidential frontrunner Donald Trump in Des Moines, Iowa.
Following a dispute with Fox News and debate moderator Megyn Kelly, Trump skipped the final GOP debate before voting begins in Iowa, and instead held a fundraiser for veterans where he raised $6 million – much of it from fellow businessmen Perlmutter, investor Carl Icahn, and real estate developer Phil Ruffin.
Trump said at the fundraiser Perlmutter is “an unbelievable man,” who is also “one of the great, great men of our country in terms of business and talent.”
A representative for the Marvel exec and his wife Laura later told industry outlet The Hollywood Reporter: “The Perlmutters are thrilled to support their friend Donald Trump in his efforts to help veterans.”
Perlmutter’s decision to donate to veterans created an immediate backlash among critics of Trump’s campaign online, where Perlmutter has been described as a “super villain” and accused of promoting “racism” and gender inequality for supporting Trump.
In calling for a boycott of Marvel, leftwing news site Salon wrote that Perlmutter’s decision to support vets through Trump demonstrates the comic book giant actively discriminates against women and minorities.
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