A Napier B&B is turning away American guests as a way to fight back against Trump Administration policies.
Since February, Mario Schmidt who owns the Bluff Hill Lighthouse B&B has turned away every American guest who has booked with him and told them to blame President Trump and Elon Musk.
“All New Zealand accommodation businesses must start to resist the Trump and Musk regime,” Schmidt said.
“Doing nothing is no longer an option. We must raise awareness of the breakdown of democracy in the US” he added.
Schmidt shared one of his emails to a would-be guest with Hawkes Bay Today, which read that the B&B had changed its guest policy since Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky and Trump’s disastrous meeting in the White House in February, in which the US President accused his counterpart of “gambling with World War III.”
“We have decided not to take bookings from the US any longer because Trump betrayed Ukraine,” Schmidt says in his email.
“Your Government is turning to fascism, and I do not support that.
“Trump is a disgusting human being, which reflects on all Americans now. I am very sorry, please blame Musk and Trump for it.”
He also said if the guests can prove they are Democrats he will honour the booking but if not they will have no cancellation fee.
Schmidt says his latest stance he has lost almost $500 worth of business but says it would not have a financial impact on him.
“I am retired, so I do not rely on the income from the B&B anymore. I host people for reasons beyond just making money.
“It certainly will make some difference for sure, but I see that as my part and duty to support Ukraine and democracy worldwide in any way I can.
Schmidt has now closed his B&B for the winter but says he will continue to cancel any American guests for the next summer.
Photo Credit: Vrbo
