Donald Trump Jr. blasts Nike with 'Communist' sneaker after 'offensive' Fourth of July shoe scrapped
Donald Trump Jr has hit back at Nike's decision to scrap a special Fourth of July shoe featuring the Betsy Ross flag with a mock up design of red and gold sneakers with a Communist 'hammer and sickle' doctored onto the Nike logo.
The limited-edition Air Max 1 was pulled after a complaint from former NFL player turned activist Colin Kaepernick complained to the sportswear giant he found the flag offensive because of it's connection to America's slavery era.
READ MORE: Outrage as Nike scraps American flag sneaker after complaint from Colin Kaepernick
In response, Trump Jr. quipped on Wednesday: "If the Betsy Ross Flag, the flag of the American Revolution, is too offensive for Nike to commemorate The 4th of July maybe Nike should go with this... seems to be more in line with their views."
If the Betsy Ross Flag, the flag of the American Revolution, is too offensive for Nike to commemorate The 4th of July maybe Nike should go with this... seems to be more in line with their views. pic.twitter.com/prAyOwTOau
— Donald Trump Jr. (@DonaldJTrumpJr) July 3, 2019
Nike planned to release the shoe on Monday and priced at $140 to commemorate Independence Day in the US, but pulled the plug on its launch after Kaepernick's qualm with its flag feature.
Consisting of 13 white stars in a circle, referencing a Revolutionary War-era version of the American flag and commonly known as 'The Betsy Ross'.
Unsurprisingly, the news didn't go down well with a string of public figures, including senator Ted Cruz, who vowed to boycott Nike products until the company ended its "contempt for American values".
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
Arizona Governor Doug Ducey (Rep) announced on Tuesday he is ordering a withdrawal of incentives for Nike’s manufacturing plant in the state over the move to scrap the sneaker that featured the ‘Betsy Ross flag.’
“Words cannot express my disappointment at this terrible decision. I am embarrassed for Nike,” Ducey tweeted. “Nike is an iconic American brand and American company. This country, our system of government and free enterprise have allowed them to prosper and flourish.”
I will never buy another article of @Nike clothing.Turning their back on the United States Flag is unacceptable.Colin Kaepernick is a bum and a buffoon.I never thought I would see the day that Betsy Ross was controversial.
— Nick Adams (@NickAdamsinUSA) July 2, 2019
I will never again buy any @Nike Product after they allowed themselves to be bullied into taking a shoe celebrating July 4th off the market. Colin Karpernick is not about America. He’s about himself. Can’t we celebrate things in this country without political or racial agendas. pic.twitter.com/J0gHT9LGec
— Howard Eskin (@howardeskin) July 2, 2019
To those outraged by the Betsy Ross @Nike shoe design: 1) learn our history 2) quit being offended by everything 3) have a nice 4th of July#ksleg#ks02#BetsyRoss
— Rep. Steve Watkins (@Rep_Watkins) July 3, 2019
In the midst of a brewing boycott, Nike later elaborated on their stance, claiming they were concerned it could "unintentionally offend" and would detract from a patriotic holiday.
“We regularly make business decisions to withdraw initiatives, products and services,” Nike said, Bloomberg reported.
“Nike made the decision to halt distribution of the Air Max 1 Quick Strike Fourth of July based on concerns that it could unintentionally offend and detract from the nation’s patriotic holiday.”
