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.
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.
This per NB VP public affairs. New Balance has publicly opposed TPP. https://t.co/tdKp6o8UyS
— Sara Germano (@germanotes) November 9, 2016
New Balance: "The Obama admin turned a deaf ear to us & frankly w/ Pres-Elect Trump we feel things are going to move in the right direction"
— Sara Germano (@germanotes) November 9, 2016
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.
.@SoleCollector @newbalance pic.twitter.com/9AFPnw6doF
— M.A. Fortin (@SeniorTeenager) November 10, 2016
@SoleCollector @newbalance good to know. I made a little bonfire tonight 🙂 pic.twitter.com/yOdCTbQgac
— #calexit (@milftears) November 10, 2016
@SoleCollector @newbalance pic.twitter.com/FA284sAdfe
— cole love (@ColeBeLove) November 10, 2016
@SoleCollector @newbalance pic.twitter.com/i8IdsxzMu4
— gay boots (@omaha_trash) November 10, 2016
@SoleCollector @newbalance pic.twitter.com/6dROPnmYdm
— Jean Ralphio (@MMArtinitus) November 10, 2016
I was gonna buy shoes, thanks for narrowing my pick @newbalance @NewBalanceUSA I won't be picking up anything from you.
— Lexa ( ˘ ³˘)✨ (@knowsoupforyou) November 10, 2016
@SoleCollector @newbalance pic.twitter.com/r3j6sXsdAP
— Jon Targaryen (@tbrooks__) November 10, 2016
Some took a different approach, urging unhappy New Balance sneaker owners to donate the shoes rather than destroy them.
Instead of burning, throwing out, or destroying your @newbalance sneakers, why not donate them to someone that is shoeless? #LoveTrumpsHate
— Julie Katherine (@JKKhiry) November 10, 2016
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.
— New Balance (@newbalance) November 10, 2016
@newbalance Just bought my daughter a pair of NB shoes yesterday. She loves them but they're going back today. We have principles.
— DJ1028 (@Dj1028Peck) November 10, 2016
@newbalance how can you believe in humanity while backing an openly racist and sexist @realDonaldTrump ? The two can't go together.
— Dre.(like Dree) (@NeauxlaDre) November 10, 2016
@newbalance here's to moving in the right direction. Never again will I or any of my family ever buy #newbalance pic.twitter.com/5OOhaO9gln
— Brandon (@DadofGabriel) November 10, 2016
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