President-elect Trump on Thursday expressed his appreciation for L.L.Bean, the outdoor clothing and gear company based in Maine that some liberals are boycotting because a Bean family member supported the Republican during the presidential race.
“Thank you to Linda Bean of L.L.Bean for your great support and courage,” Trump tweeted. “People will support you even more now. Buy L.L.Bean.”
Thank you to Linda Bean of L.L.Bean for your great support and courage. People will support you even more now. Buy L.L.Bean. @LBPerfectMaine
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 12, 2017
The liberal, anti-Trump Grab Your Wallet boycott encourages people not to support companies with connections to Trump, his family or his businesses. The boycott lists nearly 90 companies, including L.L.Bean, a company the boycott effort notes has a board member who raised funds for a pro-Trump PAC.
“We were disappointed to learn that Grab Your Wallet is advocating a boycott against L.L.Bean solely because Linda Bean, who is only one of 50+ family members involved with the business, personally supported Donald Trump for President,” Shawn Gorman, L.L.Bean’s Executive Chairman, wrote on Facebook.
Gorman said, “our owners, employees, and customers hold views and embrace causes that are individual and diverse.”
“With this in mind, we are deeply troubled by the portrayal of L.L.Bean as a supporter of any political agenda,” he said. “L.L.Bean does not endorse political candidates, take positions on political matters, or make political contributions. Simply put, we stay out of politics. To be included in this boycott campaign is simply misguided, and we respectfully request that Grab Your Wallet reverse its position.”
