Citing Target’s supremacy and status as a US fixture, Crus compared the current backlash to the crisis that once surrounded Disney after the company publicly opposed Ron DeSantis’ LGBT legislation.
At the time, several conservatives threatened to boycott the media giant – but this was never reflected in the company’s market assessments, as was the case with Target.
“You can get angry at Disney, but if your kids really want to go to Disney World, it can be difficult to say no.” There aren’t many alternatives. “There’s Six Flags, but Disney World is a pretty unique offering.”
The GOP official continued to point to Disney’s iconic catalog of products, noting that it’s nearly impossible to expect an American consumer to go without something so unique — and something so coveted.
“I mean, look, there’s only one Snow White or Cinderella or Toy Story from Pixar. It’s difficult for a lot of people to give up this product permanently,” Cruz said on his podcast, Verdict, with Ted Cruz.
By contrast, the senator said a boycott of something as nondescript as Bud Light was much easier to achieve, which is why he’s managed to get the Belgium-based brewery’s leadership to bow to the whims of consumers.
“What really impressed Bud Light is that it wasn’t a harsh boycott,” the politician said of the domestic beer’s inherent mediocrity.
‘It’s not difficult for anyone on planet earth to order a Bud Light and say, ‘I’ll have a Coors Light.’ It’s a very easy substitute.’
One of the most controversial items was this adult swim trunks in the women’s department, which was labeled “Tuck Friendly” in stores. It is still sold online
Other items include children’s swim skirts that are suitable for all genders and other swim tops
Pictured here is a $25 slogan sweater — part of Target’s Pride collection — that reads “cure transphobia, not trans people.”
A $18 Too Queer For Here tote bag is also available through Target’s website and in stores
Target said it decided to take the items off the shelves because they were “the focus of the most confrontational behavior” — and led to harassment of store staff
As for Target, Cruz admitted, “We’ll see how long and easy the switch is.”
“There’s Walmart.” “You know, there are alternatives,” he added. “I have to say that Targets are in a lot of areas and very convenient for a lot of buyers. So we’ll see if that becomes a lasting consequence or not.”
Cruz’s comments come at a time when a growing number of moderate shoppers are having issues with Target’s new “Pride Collection,” particularly items in the kids’ section.
Outraged by LGBTQ-friendly slogans like “Trans people will always exist!”, “Gay” and “Live Laugh Lesbian,” they accused the retailer of self-care – as several employees in more rural areas like the South have reportedly tried to hide and tone down these new sections out of apparent shame.
In addition, employees at Target headquarters reportedly held an “emergency meeting” last week as their bottom line slowed to avoid what a Target insider colloquially described to Fox Brass as a “bud-light situation.” had designated.
The insider went on to say that the company made the last-minute emergency decision in direct response to threats employees have been receiving over the past few weeks over the new displays.
In a statement last week, Target — led by CEO Brian Cornell — announced that the company had retracted some issues it had received complaints about, stating that these “were at the heart of the most confrontational behavior.”
“Since the launch of this year’s collection, we have experienced threats that impact the sense of security and well-being of our team members at work,” the company said in its statement.
“Given these volatile circumstances, we are making adjustments to our plans, including removing elements that have been the focus of the most significant confrontational behavior.”
The company did not make which items were taken off the shelf. As of Sunday, many of the swimsuits, onesies and t-shirts that sparked outrage are still available online.
The Pride collection also includes items for babies and children. Many of the pieces are embellished with slogans and feature the rainbow colors of the Pride flag
The swimsuits, which will appear in the sections set up for Pride month in June, will include a label touting the “tuck-in-friendly construction” and “extra crotch coverage”. The design is designed to help hide a person’s intimate areas
The Tuck-Friendly swimsuit is sold online for $40 in the adult section. Target has been asked to clarify claims that the item is also available for children
In a statement last week, Target — led by CEO Brian Cornell — responded to the now-visible financial backlash, announcing that the company had retracted some issues it had received complaints about, stating that these were “at the heart of the most confrontational.” behavior stand”.
Target CEO letter to employees defending decision to withdraw items from Pride Collection
Team –
I want to end the day where Briefly started: on a note of caring. This was a very tough day for Target, and many difficult days of reflection and decision-making followed.
To our team in stores: Thank you for standing up for our values. Nobody is better at managing uncomfortable situations in the service of an inclusive guest experience.
What you’ve seen over the last few days went far beyond discomfort, and it was heartbreaking to see what awaits you down our aisles.
We thank our team in the service centers for their patience and professionalism despite the high volume of angry, abusive and threatening calls. I know how difficult and even frightening these interactions can be and thank you for the composure with which you have responded to these comments.
Thank you to the teams who have worked so hard on our plans for Pride – and are now showing incredible agility in customization. Your efforts ensure that we can continue to be present and celebrate Pride in a meaningful way.
For the LGBTQIA+ community, one of the most challenging parts of this has been thinking about how the adjustments we are making to mitigate these threats to our team’s physical and psychological safety would impact you and your well-being and psychological safety. We are with you now and will continue to be with you – not just during Pride Month, but every single day.
Those were the two guiding principles when it came time for us to act: do what we can to keep our team safe, and do what we can to protect our commitment and connection to LGBTQIA+ -community to appreciate.
From a multitude of difficult alternatives, we have sincerely sought the best way forward and found ways to celebrate Pride Month while making adjustments to prioritize safety. As always, we are stronger together and I want you to know that I am committed to doing everything I can and everything we can do as a company to create a culture of caring, compassionate people across the country , justice and simple courtesy , in the hope that in the future we won’t have to deal with such agonizing decisions again.
Thank you for the care you have shown one another, our frontline teams and the LGBTQIA+ community.
Chr
Target has supported Pride every year since 2013, which is celebrated throughout June, with only this year’s collection having a polarizing effect.
In 2014, Target publicly endorsed marriage equality and announced the following year that it was revoking its policy of sharing certain products, such as B. toys, would end by gender.
Target also introduced a gender-neutral line for children, and in April 2016 — amid a nationwide debate over toilet access — announced that transgender people would be free to use the restroom of their choice.
Backlash ensued, and Target spent $20 million in August 2016 to add a private bathroom to each of its stores.
Both failures took place under Cornell’s supervision.
Still, the CEO told the Fortune podcast “Leadership Next” last week, after calling the harassment faced by Target employees “disgusting,” that he believed the campaign would pay off in the long run.
“I think these are just good business decisions, and it’s what’s right for society and what’s great for our brand,” Cornell said.
“The things that we have done from a DE&I (Diversity, Equity and Inclusion) point of view are an added value.”
“It helps us increase sales, it builds greater engagement with both our teams and our guests, and these are just the right things for our business today.”
However, in an email to his own employees obtained by Insiders, the CEO defended his decision to remove LGBTQ merchandise from some stores in the South just days ahead of June Pride month, while also criticizing consumers who “made threats.” that compromised our team members’ sense of security.” and well-being.’
“This was a very tough day for Target, and many difficult days of deliberation and decision-making followed,” Cornell wrote to employees Wednesday, according to a copy of the letter obtained by the outlet.
“Thank you to the teams that have worked so hard on our plans for Pride – and are now showing incredible agility as we adapt,” Cornell wrote. “Your efforts will ensure that we can still perform and celebrate Pride in a meaningful way.”
He continued, “For the LGBTQIA+ community, one of the most challenging aspects of all of this has been thinking about how the adjustments we are making to mitigate these threats to our team’s physical and psychological safety will impact you and your well-being.” and would affect your psychological safety.”
“We stand by your side now and will continue to do so – not just during Pride Month, but every single day.”
The Target boss continued to defend the company’s response to the current situation, insisting “we have sincerely sought the best way forward from a variety of difficult alternatives, found ways to recognize Pride Month while making adjustments.” to prioritize safety.”
“As always, we are stronger together and I want you to know that I am committed to doing whatever I can and whatever we can do as a company to foster a culture of caring, empathy, across the country , to support justice and simplicity.” Courtesy,” Cornell said.
While the full financial impact of the Pride collection remains to be seen, there is also growing outrage over Target’s partnership with a British transgender man whose brand of ricochet promotes Satanism and is sold in the store’s nearly 2,000 stores.
Target sells two items from the brand — a $25 slogan sweater that reads “Cure Transphobia Not Trans People” wrapped around a sword, an $18 “Too queer for Here” tote bag, and a fanny pack that reads “We.” belong everywhere”. seems to be sold out.
Designer Eric Cullen – a transgender man – proudly shared photos of the collaboration on Instagram.
“This has already infuriated the transphobes with me, and I feel quite a celebrity to think that they believe this is all some big conspiracy and that I have the power to brainwash anyone if I could.” a guy who draws pictures!” he said.
A closer look at his other work reveals even more sinister material.
Other products include badges with slogans like “Satan Respects Pronouns”, “Young, Queer and Willing” and a lighter pin that reads “Burn down the cis-tem”.
On an Instagram page, he also flaunts the t-shirt that reads “Satan respects pronouns” while wearing BDSM-style horns and no pants.
In a bio on the brand’s website, he says he’s always been fascinated by the “terrifying and mystical”.
“I juxtapose it with images of skulls and spooky things – an interest of mine since I was a child.” “There’s something magical about the unknown, the frightening and the mystical, which is why I use these themes so often in my art,” he says.