Harley-Davidson became the latest major brand to face backlash over its diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives — with a conservative online influencer calling for a boycott of the iconic motorcycle maker.
Robby Starbuck, who has more than half a million followers on X, accused the Wisconsin-based company of having “gone totally woke” by hosting an LGBTQ+ boot camp at its offices, sponsoring Pride events and subjecting white employees to DEI indoctrination.
Last week, Starbuck, a former GOP candidate for a congressional seat in Tennessee, organized an online campaign that forced John Deere and Tractor Supply to walk back its DEI initiatives, including eliminating Pride parades and festivals.
In a 10-minute video that was posted to X, Starbuck noted that Harley-Davidson is a “platinum founding member of the LGBT Chamber of Commerce in Wisconsin,” which opposed banning transgender sex changes for children.
Starbuck posted an advertisement in which the company touted the fact that it was “all in on diversity and inclusion.”
The Post has sought comment from Harley-Davidson.
He also noted that Harley-Davidson’s CEO, German-born businessman Jochen Zeitz, “uses his millions to change opinions on climate change.”
Zeitz has set a goal to make all Harley-Davidson vehicles run on electricity by 2030.
According to Starbuck, Harley-Davidson organized an “LGBTQ+ entrepreneurship boot camp” at its corporate offices in Wisconsin.
It also sponsored an LGBTQ event that offered a “rage room” that was adjacent to a “story time room for children to interact with drag queens,” according to Starbuck.
He also said that the company “celebrated” its legal department “taking a woke 21-day racial equity and literacy challenge” which promoted controversial works such as the “1619 Project” as well as a book titled “Black Panthers and White Lies.”
The challenge also included work by Ibram X. Kendi, the Boston University academic whose books have promoted the concept of “antiracism.”
“I don’t think the values at corporate reflect the values of nearly any Harley-Davidson bikers,” Starbuck said.
“Do Harley riders want the money they spend at Harley to be used later by corporate to push an ideology that’s diametrically opposed to their own values?”
Last year, conservatives organized a boycott of Anheuser-Busch-owned brand Bud Light after it partnered with transgender social media influencer Dylan Mulvaney in a campaign to promote the beer.
The boycott has led to a steep drop in sales of Bud Light, which as a result lost its two-decade hold as the nation’s top-selling beer.
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