People are trashing New Balance sneakers after the company’s apparent pro-Trump comments

"My statements aren’t political, this is policy related solely to TPP," the company's VP of public affairs said in a follow-up interview.

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By
, Boston.com Staff
November 10, 2016

People are not happy with Boston-based sneaker maker New Balance after the company appeared to express support Wednesday for President-elect Donald Trump’s stance on trade.

A day after the real-estate mogul claimed victory over Democrat Hillary Clinton to become America’s 45th president, the footwear manufacturer’s vice president of public affairs Matt LeBretton told Wall Street Journal reporter Sara Germano the company was looking forward to the businessman taking office due to his stance on the Trans-Pacific Partnership.

In the hours after the statement was made, while some Trump supporters signaled they’d soon become New Balance customers, many existing customers took to social media to express their disappointment, posting photos and videos of the shoes burning or being thrown away.

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Some took a different approach, urging unhappy New Balance sneaker owners to donate the shoes rather than destroy them.

New Balance’s LeBretton told BuzzFeed News later Wednesday that while his quote to the Journal was correct, it was taken out of context.

“My statements aren’t political, this is policy related solely to TPP,” he said. “I’ve spoken on the record to The Boston Globe and other sources about our opposition to Obama’s footwear tax and the TPP.”

While New Balance posted a statement on Twitter Thursday re-affirming the company’s belief in “community” and “humanity,” some customers are still saying they’re done with the company.

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TOPICS: Business Politics 2016 Election Donald Trump

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