Mitch McConnell Puts Nike on Blast After It Cancels American Flag Shoes
Mitch McConnell is no stranger to controversy. And he isn’t afraid to step right into one.
Dressed in yellow, McConnell stood in the middle of a field and let loose on Nike’s decision pull the Air Max 1 USA.
Nike decided to pull the shoe after Colin Kaepernick complained that the American flag on the back was offensive.
The depiction on the heel of the shoe, often called the Betsy Ross flag, was one of many designed in the late 1700s to represent the 13 original colonies.
Kaepernick found the image to be too oppressive, according to a Wall Street Journal report.
McConnell was not impressed. “If we’re in a political environment where the American flag has become controversial to Americans, I think we have a problem,” he said.
Senator McConnell weighs in on Nike’s decision to pull the Betsy Ross shoes. “I’ll make the first order.” pic.twitter.com/QtMP1jXJpC
— Daniel Desrochers (@drdesrochers) July 2, 2019
Nike’s announcement was met with an immediate firestorm. Ted Cruz tweeted that he will boycott the company until further notice.
I love America. I stand for the anthem, respect the flag & honor the men & women who fought to defend our Nation. I respect Free Speech & I’m exerting mine: until @Nike ends its contempt for those values, I WILL NO LONGER PURCHASE NIKE PRODUCTS. #WalkAwayFromNike RT if you agree. https://t.co/IvXNTgvlHq
— Ted Cruz (@tedcruz) July 2, 2019
Scott Baio tweeted at Nike a message full of American flags.
Dear @Nike, ??????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????
— Scott Baio (@ScottBaio) July 2, 2019
And Doug Ducey, the governor of Arizona, rescinded millions of dollars’ worth of financial incentives promised to Nike for a new plant to open in his state.
Nike has made its decision, and now we’re making ours. I’ve ordered the Arizona Commerce Authority to withdraw all financial incentive dollars under their discretion that the State was providing for the company to locate here. 7/
— Doug Ducey (@dougducey) July 2, 2019
But it may be McConnell’s closing comment that takes the red, white and blue cake.
“I hope Nike releases these shoes or some other shoe maker picks up the flag, puts it on a pair of shoes and starts selling it,” McConnell said. “I’ll make the first order.”
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