Even Donald Trump's oldest buddies are getting fed up with the Republican candidate's most recent antics. Exhibit A: Def Jam mogul Russell Simmons.
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In an open letter published on his site Global Grind on Tuesday, Simmons explains that he and the real estate scion have spent the past three decades doing rich-people things together -- flying around on private planes and helicopters, endorsing each others' latest products, feeding beluga caviar to rare and exotic white tigers (well, probably).
Now, though, Simmons feels he has no choice to speak out against Trump -- even if that means he's "strained or ruined" their friendship. Way harsh, Russell.
Simmons, who also serves as chairman of the Foundation for Ethnic Understanding, tells Trump that both Muslims and Jews have compared Trump's most recent plans to those of Adolf Hitler -- "and I cannot disagree with them, Donald."
He continues:
You can’t possibly want your kids or your wife Melania (all of whom I know and respect) to live with that. You are a born leader, who is set to possibly win the nomination of your party, but don’t compromise what I know is in your heart to do it. You are a generous, kind man who has built a career on negotiating deals where everybody wins. Now, you seem like a one-man wrecking ball willing to destroy our nation’s foundation of freedom.
Then Simmons reaches the meat of his letter. "Stop the bullshit. Stop fueling fires of hate. Don’t feed into the rhetoric created by small-minded people. You’re smarter and certainly more loving then you let on."
Trump hasn't yet responded to Simmons, though he did post this pointed tweet late Tuesday night.
Wow, what a day. So many foolish people that refuse to acknowledge the tremendous danger and uncertainty of certain people coming into U.S.— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) December 9, 2015