Hold onto your helmets, folks! Harley-Davidson, that legendary symbol of American freedom and rebellion, is in the crosshairs of a backlash storm. Why? They’ve been accused of going full throttle into ‘wokeness’. The man steering this controversial ride is none other than CEO Jochen Zeitz.
This uproar kicked off when Robby Starbuck, a conservative influencer with a knack for stirring up debate, blasted Zeitz on social media for allegedly pushing a woke agenda. It was as if Starbuck had discovered Harley was ditching their roaring engines for solar panels. The 35-year-old political commentator didn’t hold back, accusing Zeitz of everything short of replacing the Harley eagle with a peace dove. His beef? Harley’s support for policies on transgender youth healthcare, critical race theory, climate change, and Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) initiatives.
Starbuck’s online tirade was laced with the kind of hyperbole that could make even the toughest biker raise an eyebrow. He claimed that Harley-Davidson, the “emblem of rugged American individualism,” had succumbed to the whims of the liberal elite. He rattled off a list of Harley’s affiliations and activities that sent shockwaves through the biking community faster than a turbocharged Fat Boy. “How many Harley riders know that Harley Davidson is a platinum founding member of the LGBT Chamber of Commerce in Wisconsin?” he pondered, unveiling the company’s extensive participation in LGBTQ+ initiatives.
It’s time to expose Harley Davidson.@harleydavidson has been one of the most beloved brands in America but recently on CEO Jochen Zeitz’s watch, they’ve gone totally woke.
Here’s some of what we found:
• Openly supports “the equality act" which would allow men into girl’s… pic.twitter.com/15kPUy8WVY
— Robby Starbuck (@robbystarbuck) July 23, 2024
Jochen Zeitz, the guy at the center of this storm, was branded by Starbuck as an “unusual choice to lead Harley-Davidson.” Born in Germany and an outspoken climate activist, Zeitz’s leadership style has clearly ruffled some feathers among Harley’s traditional fanbase. Starbuck took particular issue with Harley’s training programs, which included sessions on being an ally to the LGBTQ+ community and exploring social identities. This, according to Starbuck, was far from the Hell’s Angels’ playbook.
The controversy heated up even more when Sean Strickland, former Ultimate Fighting Championship middleweight champion and hardcore Harley fan, joined the protest. In a video shared with his 600,000 followers, Strickland announced his breakup with Harley and even pondered whether to sell his beloved bike or blast it with a machine gun. Talk about going nuclear!
But Starbuck didn’t stop at Harley. He’s been taking aim at corporate America across the board, from Tractor Supply’s pride flags to other companies’ DEI initiatives. His war cry against perceived corporate wokeness has resonated with many enthusiasts who feel let down by brands they once revered.
So what’s next for Harley-Davidson? Will they hit the brakes in response to this backlash, or will they stick to their path and continue their inclusive initiatives? One thing is certain—the ride ahead promises to be anything but smooth.
Leave a Comment