- Conservatives continue to boycott “enlightened” companies like Target, Anheuser-Busch and The Walt Disney Company for taking left-wing positions on social and political issues.
- Many Republican primary candidates have kept the door open or kept quiet about whether to accept campaign funds from corporate political action committees (PACs) affiliated with “awake” companies, according to The Daily. told the Kohler News Foundation.
- A spokesman for former Vice President Mike Pence said in a statement that “donations to the Pence campaign will be evaluated on an individual basis to determine if they are aligned with our principles and values.”
When the Daily Caller News Foundation asked whether each campaign had plans to accept donations from “awake” companies, the Republican presidential campaign was largely silent.
Republicans and big business, once seen as natural allies, are finding themselves increasingly at odds as Republican bases take more interest in the companies that drive the Awakening — and more recently, children. An example of this is the conservative-led boycott of Target, which has forced a “pride” product on people. The DCNF asked all Republican presidential candidates whether they would accept campaign funding from the “awake” company PAC.
The campaigns of South Carolina Senator Tim Scott and former Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson declined to comment. The camps of former UN Ambassador Nikki Haley, former New Jersey Governor Chris Christie, North Dakota Governor Doug Burgham, businessman Vivek Ramaswamy and Miami Mayor Francis Suarez did not react at all. The campaigns of Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, talk radio host Larry Elder, former Vice President Mike Pence and former President Donald Trump responded, but no one said they would refuse ‘woke’ corporate PAC donations. didn’t even say
DeSantis’ spokesman Brian Griffin told the DCNF, “Governor DeSantis has received widespread support, including from Disney expats and even former Soros employees who reject the awakened people and believe in law and order. I have,” he said in a statement to the DCNF. “We oppose the policies of Soros (or Disney, or Fauci) and will gladly use any donation to benefit the American people.”
While large corporations cannot donate directly to candidates, political parties, or PACs, employee-funded affiliated corporations PACs according to to open secret. the goal and anheuser buschof companies, PAC, contributed more to the Republican campaign than the Democrats in the 2022 midterm elections. disneydonated $61,000 to Republican candidates.
DeSantis has been chasing Disney for the past year since the company was founded criticized The governor’s parental rights in education bill was proposed on the grounds that it was not inclusive of the LGBT community. In February, the governor signed a bill stripping Disney of its special tax privileges, sparking a months-long feud between the two.
“No one has done more to defeat the wakeful onslaught than Governor Ron DeSantis,” Griffin told the DCNF. “He stood up for Disney and sided with Disney even when other Republican lawmakers criticized Disney. will bring it to
In June, Target launched a “Pride Collection” that included baby clothing, children’s books and “tuck-friendly” swimwear that promoted LGBT ideology. Anheuser-Busch’s Bud Light partnered with transgender activist Dylan Mulvaney, who has his face painted on a beer can. Disney pushes LGBT and DEI ideologies not only in its theme parks, but also in children’s content.
Elder has criticized corporations for alienating many Americans, but he has not closed the door on accepting campaign funds from corporate PACs.
“Target and Bud Light have much to explain to the American public, and much to make up for with freedom-loving Americans and caring parents,” Elder told DCNF in a statement. rice field. “If they want to appeal to more patriotic Americans, have civil talks, and spend money to respect parental rights, I am here to have that talk. Unlike , I’m not going to shut out new ideas and those who want civil, rational debate, whether they’re awake or not.”
The Pence campaign responded in a less direct manner, telling the DCNF that campaign donations will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis.
“Donations to the Pence campaign will be evaluated on an individual basis to determine if our principles and values are aligned,” a spokesperson told the DCNF in a statement.
People march with Disney Pride during the 2023 LA Pride Parade in Hollywood, California on June 11, 2023. (Robin Beck/Getty Images)
The Trump campaign did not answer the DCNF’s questions, instead issuing a statement attacking DeSantis’ record. (Related: In case you can’t keep up, here are the top ‘awakened’ brands conservatives are punishing today)
Trump campaign spokesman Stephen Chan told the DCNF, “Ron DeSantis relies on his entire existence to fight against enlightened culture, but he walks trying to gaslight the American people to hide his identity.” He’s a hypocrite,” he said. “As more and more voters learn about his infamous and infamous past, he continues to fall in the polls, just as he has since he ran.”
Haley has criticized DeSantis for fighting corporations, accusing the governor of accepting “a $50,000 political donation from Disney.” Said At the CNN Town Hall on June 4, DeSantis responded to Haley’s remarks the next day, saying, Said Fox News’ Brian Kilmeade’s op-ed doesn’t condone Disney politics.
“Somebody donated to the campaign, should you lie down for them? That’s not my way,” DeSantis said. “People can support me or not support me. I intend on doing it.”
All content produced by the Daily Caller News Foundation, an independent, non-partisan news distribution service, is available free of charge to legitimate news publishers capable of serving large audiences. All reissues must include our company logo, press byline, and DCNF affiliation. If you have any questions about our guidelines or partnering with us, please contact us at licensing@dailycallernewsfoundation.org.