The Reverend Al Sharpton’s stunt to support Costco’s “strong commitment” to diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) could be the “kiss of death” for the wholesale giant.
Despite a turnaround by other major retailers in dropping DEI procedures, Costco shareholders voted overwhelmingly to keep incorporating identity factors such as race and gender into the company’s policies. Sharpton suggested that consumers boycott companies that focus on merit.
With 100 members of his National Action Network, the MSNBC host walked through the Harlem Costco in New York calling for a “buy-in ” at a press conference where he explained that he had bought $25 gift certificates for the group.
Leading a buy-in with 100+ @NationalAction members at the @Costco location in Harlem, NYC to show support for the company’s strong commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI).
This comes as DEI policies face growing attacks from both President Trump and the private… pic.twitter.com/D2eYTeAZlV
— Reverend Al Sharpton (@TheRevAl) January 25, 2025
“We’re going shopping at Costco because they’ve stood with us. People that stand with us, we will stand with them,” he said.
During a speech at Metropolitan AME Church in Washington, D.C. to honor Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., Sharpton defended DEI policies and called for boycotts even as President Trump soon issued executive orders ending DEI initiatives from the federal government.
“Why do we have DEI? We have DEI because you denied us diversity, you denied us equity, you denied us inclusion. DEI was a remedy to the racial institutionalized bigotry practice in academia and in these corporations. Now, if you want to put us back in the back of the bus, we going to do the Dr. King-Rosa Parks on you,” Sharpton said.
He blasted Trump’s move during his remarks at Costco.
“For Donald Trump to be able to cancel a commitment they made is an outright front to the black community, LGBTQ community, and women,” Sharpton said. “So that is why we will stand with those that stand with us. Costco immediately stepped out and said that they were not back down on DEI.”
NEW: Rev. Al Sharpton calls for boycott of companies who don’t support DEI during a press conference outside of Costco.
Sharpton called for a “buy in” at companies like Costco who do support DEI.
“For Donald Trump to be able to cancel a commitment they made is an outright front… pic.twitter.com/aIeOTMHVzw
— Collin Rugg (@CollinRugg) January 26, 2025
Social media users told Costco exactly how they felt.
@Costco will deeply regret this if they don’t make an about face on this very soon.
— Robby Starbuck (@robbystarbuck) January 26, 2025
Racist Sharpton is the kiss of death. See ya Costco
— Grasshopper 1955 (@nola_1955) January 26, 2025
I’m certain none of those people have memberships so why are you letting them into your store @Costco?
Is Costco TRYING to put themselves in the middle of the culture wars?
— Pro America Politics (@Pro__Trading) January 26, 2025
Al Sharpton’s DEI stunt backfires spectacularly after liberal icon marches in support of Costco. Al Sharpton’s support is like the Godfather’s kiss of death.
My friend, who was a 25+ year premium member informed me his family was cancelling their Costco membership over DEI.
— Bad Optics (@BadOptics4U) January 27, 2025
For anybody that wants to know you can cancel your Costco card by calling 18007742678 let them know you are canceling because of their DEI policies. Make sure they know you are canceling immediately. Don’t let them make you wait till your card needs to renew. Be kind pic.twitter.com/jvFIdVyV1j
— Siloface (@Siloface) January 26, 2025
Al Sharpton is a racist. That’s why he’s supporting DEI. Anyone who still listens to Sharpton is also a racist.
— Paul A. Szypula (@Bubblebathgirl) January 26, 2025
So I guess @Costco is happy to have this grifter and divider as their spokesman? Good to know where they stand.
— NewsieOne (@NewsieOne) January 26, 2025
Is there anything more racist than believing minorities can’t succeed based on their merit?
— Nikki Moonitz (@NMoonitz) January 26, 2025
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Originally from New York, Powers graduated from New York University and eventually made her way to sunny South Florida where she has been writing for the BizPacReview team since 2015.
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