AZ governor steps up for America, will 'withdraw all incentive dollars' from Kaepernick's Nike

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BizPac Review published reports on Monday that Nike developed a Betsy Ross-themed shoe just in time to celebrate Independence Day, then yanked it from production. Shortly after, sponsored activist Colin Kaepernick reportedly complained that he found the imagery depicted on the clothing to be offensive. As happens all too often in our softened society, Nike immediately recalled the shoe and drew the ire of patriots like Fox News host Laura Ingraham, who called the decision “pathetic” and declared that she will no longer be buying Nike sneakers for her family.

Pathetic!!! https://t.co/Pxk6imyw3M

— Laura Ingraham (@IngrahamAngle) July 1, 2019

No more @nike sneakers for our family. “Nike Nixes ‘Betsy Ross Flag’ Sneaker After Colin Kaepernick Intervenes” https://t.co/4Dca4J5bmA

— Laura Ingraham (@IngrahamAngle) July 2, 2019

Arizona Governor Doug Ducey also isn’t pulling any punches when it comes to Nike’s decision to scrap the patriotic footwear. In a Twitter thread, he lambasted the corporation for “bow[ing] to the current onslaught of political correctness and historical revisionism.”

“Today was supposed to be a good day in Arizona, with the announcement of a major @Nike investment in Goodyear, AZ,” he tweeted.

Today was supposed to be a good day in Arizona, with the announcement of a major @Nike investment in Goodyear, AZ. THREAD—>
1/

— Doug Ducey (@dougducey) July 2, 2019

“And then this news broke yesterday afternoon,” he continued, posting a link to Wall Street Journal’s coverage of the decision.

And then this news broke yesterday afternoon. 2/https://t.co/NmM8OPGR0G

— Doug Ducey (@dougducey) July 2, 2019

“Words cannot express my disappointment at this terrible decision. I am embarrassed for Nike,” Ducey remarked. “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. Instead of celebrating American history the week of our nation’s independence, Nike has apparently decided that Betsy Ross is unworthy, and has bowed to the current onslaught of political correctness and historical revisionism.”

But he wasn’t done there. Ducey goes on to declare that “American businesses should be proud of our country’s history,” and afterward tweeted that he had made the decision to “withdraw all financial incentive dollars” from Nike.

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

“Arizona’s economy is doing just fine without Nike. We don’t need to suck up to companies that consciously denigrate our nation’s history,” he said, drawing the thread to a close. “And finally, it shouldn’t take a controversy over a shoe for our kids to know who Betsy Ross is. A founding mother. Her story should be taught in all American schools. In the meantime, it’s worth googling her.”

And people are doing just that. At the time of this publishing, “Nike,” “Colin Kaepernick,” and “Betsy Ross” are all trending on Twitter.

It is unclear whether Nike was anticipating this level of push back as a result of their decision, or if having their incentive dollars withdrawn by the Arizona Commerce Authority will influence how they do business in the future, but one thing is certain: You don’t mess with America.

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