The BBC reported that the photographer behind the original image is himself a refugee and opposed the use of his work to illustrate Trump's point.

Donald Trump Jr.'s controversial Skittles image that was tweeted last week has been taken down after a report from the copyright holder, according to a message that now replaces the photo.

Copyrights: Even in the digital age , you must respect them.

"This isn't about the money for me. They could have just bought a cheap image from a micro stock library. This is pure greed from them," David Kittos told the BBC.


A lawyer for Kittos said that her client made the request to Twitter around Saturday, and that the photo was removed by Wednesday.

"We are currently considering all legal remedies for the unauthorized use of the work," Heather L. Blaise wrote in an e-mail to the Globe.

The maker of Skittles, Wrigley Americas, was also none-too-pleased with the tweet.

"Skittles are candy. Refugees are people. We don't feel it's an appropriate analogy," Vice President of Corporate Affairs Denise Young said in a statement shortly after Trump posted his tweet. "We will respectfully refrain from further commentary as anything we say could be misinterpreted as marketing."

In promoting his father's presidential campaign, Trump had sent an image of a bowl of Skittles that asked users whether they "would take a handful" even if three pieces of the candy would kill them, equating the metaphor to the issue of bringing Syrian refugees to the US.

Republican nominee Donald Trump has spoken vehemently against bringing in Syrian refugees, saying last year in New Hampshire he would send them back.

The tweet as originally posted last week to Donald Trump Jr.’s account. AP

This image says it all. Let's end the politically correct agenda that doesn't put America first. #trump2016 pic.twitter.com/9fHwog7ssN — Donald Trump Jr. (@DonaldJTrumpJr) September 19, 2016

Nicole Hernandez can be reached at nicole.hernandez@globe.com. Follow her on Twitter @NRHSJax.