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Smirnoff vodka trolls Trump’s ‘Russiagate’ scandal
Diageo-owned vodka brand Smirnoff has caused a stir with its latest advertising campaign, which mocks US president Donald Trump’s alleged ties to Russia.
Photo credit: Twitter @librarian_kate
The vodka brand, which was founded in Moscow in 1864, displayed the following message on its poster beside an image of a Moscow Mule cocktail: “Made in America, but we’d be happy to speak about our ties to Russia under oath.”
Trump is currently facing investigations by the FBI and congressional committees into his presidential campaign and its alleged links with Moscow.
He has been accused of obstructing justice by reportedly pressuring former FBI director James Comey to end an investigation into communications between Trump’s aides and Russian intelligence officials.
Last week Trump said he would be “100%” willing to testify under oath about his interactions with Comey.
The Smirnov family fled Russia during the October Revolution in 1917 and now the company’s products are available in more than 130 countries, with much of the Smirnoff vodka sold in the US produced domestically.
A spokesperson for Smirnoff US told The Spirits Business: “Smirnoff has been made in America for more than eight decades. The recent interest in American-made products created the perfect opportunity to reinforce that fact and the brand’s roots in Russia – with a wink and nod to current affairs.”