Hilton Cuts Ties with Minnesota Hotels Over Policy Issue

Early Tuesday, Hilton Hotels announced that its franchised hotels in Minnesota will be “removed from our systems” following incidents where they denied lodging to Department of Homeland Security (DHS) officials who were investigating local misconduct.

This decision stems from an undercover video released by citizen journalist Nick Souter.

On Monday, DHS shared an email from the Hampton Inn in Minneapolis, which stated it would not accommodate agents, mentioning a rise in government reservations and asserting, “we do not allow any ICE or immigration officers to be on our property.”

In response to the controversy, Hilton’s corporate office issued a statement clarifying that the Minneapolis Hampton Inn is “independently owned.”

Hilton hotels aim to be welcoming for everyone. While this hotel operates independently, the actions mentioned do not align with Hilton’s values. We are looking into this matter with the hotel and affirm that Hilton collaborates with governments and community leaders globally to ensure our properties remain inviting for all.

The independent hotel later issued an apology and announced it was reversing its policy.

Everpeak Hospitality promptly addressed the situation, emphasizing that it contradicts their commitment to being a welcoming environment. They are reaching out to affected guests to provide assistance. The hotel expressed that discrimination is not tolerated, and they are dedicated to serving all guests while adhering to legal and brand standards as a professional hospitality provider.

Hours later, however, a new video surfaced showing that the hotel did not actually reverse its policy, prompting Hilton to announce immediate actions to sever ties with the hotel.

This reaction has drawn parallels to what some are calling the “Bud Light effect” or the “Charlie Kirk effect.” There seems to be a growing frustration on the political right towards such incidents of perceived hate and bigotry, and it reflects a shift in corporate accountability. I can personally relate to this perspective as I used to feel similarly.

Hilton’s corporate response indicates an acute awareness of the potential damage to their brand and business, prompting swift action to mitigate any fallout.

It’s a shifting landscape. Corporate America appears to be increasingly aware of the heightened sensitivity around these issues.

Moreover, it seems clear that Hilton would want to avoid any negative attention from the Trump administration.