President Trump called for people to boycott Goodyear in response to a ban on employees wearing Make America Great Again gear.
The president waded into the battle after a visual purported be a slide from a diversity training program that labeled Blue Lives Matter, All Lives Matter, MAGA attire, and other politically affiliated slogans as “unacceptable” was shared on social media Wednesday morning. The visual, which Goodyear says was not part of its diversity training program, also listed “Black Lives Matter (BLM), Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender Pride (LGBT)” as “acceptable.”
“Don’t buy GOODYEAR TIRES — They announced a BAN ON MAGA HATS,” the president said. “Get better tires for far less! (This is what the Radical Left Democrats do. Two can play the same game, and we have to start playing it now!).”
Don’t buy GOODYEAR TIRES – They announced a BAN ON MAGA HATS. Get better tires for far less! (This is what the Radical Left Democrats do. Two can play the same game, and we have to start playing it now!).
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) August 19, 2020
The photo emerged on social media from an anonymous employee who said it was presented at a Topeka, Kansas, plant by an area manager, according to local outlet WIBW. The program itself was sent from the corporate office in Akron, Ohio, the employee claimed.
Soon after Trump sent his tweet, Goodyear released a statement that said the viral visual “was not created or distributed by Goodyear corporate, nor was it part of a diversity training.”
“To be clear on our longstanding corporate policy, Goodyear has zero tolerance for any forms of harassment or discrimination. To enable a work environment free of those, we ask that associates refrain from workplace expressions in support of political campaigning for any candidate or political party, as well as similar forms of advocacy that fall outside the scope of racial justice and equity issues,” Goodyear’s statement said, adding, “Goodyear has always wholeheartedly supported both equality and law enforcement and will continue to do so” because “these are not mutually exclusive.”
Hey @goodyear – the people that nearly beat a man to death in Portland the other night weren’t wearing blue lives matter shirts or MAGA hats. The Left is ruining this country. https://t.co/tmStzjkWFw
— Doug Collins (@CollinsforGA) August 19, 2020
A Goodyear spokeswoman previously responded to the image that surfaced but did not address whether it was part of the corporate office’s training program.
“Goodyear is committed to fostering an inclusive and respectful workplace where all of our associates can do their best in a spirit of teamwork. As part of this commitment, we do allow our associates to express their support on racial injustice and other equity issues but ask that they refrain from workplace expressions, verbal or otherwise, in support of political campaigning for any candidate or political party as well as other similar forms of advocacy that fall outside the scope of equity issues,” Goodyear’s Melissa Monaco said.
Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden’s deputy campaign manager, Kate Bedingfield, was asked about the president’s tweet during a call with reporters. She acknowledged she hadn’t seen it but noted, “It sounds an awful lot like more of President Trump putting his own political interest ahead of the good of the country,” according to Buzzfeed News.
