AKRON, Ohio — Ohio politicians and the City of Akron came to the defense of Goodyear Tire and Rubber Company after President Donald Trump called for the public to boycott Akron’s fourth-largest employer.
Trump's tweet calling for a boycott came after an image circulated of a policy asking employees not to wear any political attire, including MAGA gear, to the workplace.
Trump tweeted: “Don’t buy GOODYEAR TIRES - They announced a BAN ON MAGA HATS. Get better tires for far less! (This is what the Radical Left Democrats do. Two can play the same game, and we have to start playing it now!).”
On Wednesday, Goodyear tire released a statement addressing the misconceptions about its policies and company. The company said the widely circulated image was not part of any diversity training class.
"We ask associates refrain from workplace expressions in support of political campaigning for any candidate or political party, as well as similar forms of advocacy that fall outside the scope of racial justice and equity issues."
U.S. Senator Sherrod Brown (D-OH) called Trump’s response "despicable."
It’s absolutely despicable that the President would call for a boycott of an American company, based in Akron, that employs thousands of U.S. workers. https://t.co/0wI5CT1zjG
— Sherrod Brown (@SenSherrodBrown) August 19, 2020
Congressman Tim Ryan (D-OH 13th District) joined in on the conversation with a statement on Twitter.
Trump promised to create manufacturing jobs. But he didn’t lift a finger when @GM left Lordstown. Now he’s attacking @Goodyear which employs over 3,000 Ohioans.
— Tim Ryan (@TimRyan) August 19, 2020
Ohio sees through these false promises. We can’t fire this President fast enough. https://t.co/oAwOQX1jfN
State Rep. Emila Sykes said the president should "stand down."
Akron is known as the rubber city capital of the world, spurred by the innovation & work of Goodyear alongside the hardworking men and women who made it possible. We are very protective of our people and what made Akron the city it is today. Stand down. https://t.co/SGSgsd4buL
— Emilia Sykes (@EmiliaSykesOH) August 19, 2020
And the City of Akron weighed in as well. In a tweet that went beyond the normally sedate proclamations issued by cities on social media, the city said it stands with Goodyear.
Goodyear has believed in this community for generations, investing in the power, tenacity and honest people of the heartland, which is more than we can say for this president. #WeStandWithGoodyear pic.twitter.com/0bM8Xax018
— City of Akron, Ohio (@AkronOhioMayor) August 19, 2020
The City of Akron then ventured into the president's mentions, and they brought an old LeBron GIF with them, saying the president is "coming to destroy the American economy and heartland jobs."
First, you came to destroy American decency. Next, you came to destroy American institutions. Now you're coming to destroy the American economy and heartland jobs. Luckily you seem to fail at everything you do. pic.twitter.com/zzVJ9X0ap4
— City of Akron, Ohio (@AkronOhioMayor) August 19, 2020
Gov. Mike DeWine has yet to comment.
RELATED: Goodyear responds after president calls for boycott of Akron's 4th-largest employer
