Mitch McConnell Puts Nike on Blast After It Cancels American Flag Shoes

By G.S. Hair July 2, 2019 at 2:41pm

Mitch McConnell is no stranger to controversy. And he isn’t afraid to step right into one.

Dressed in yellow, McConnell stood in the middle of a field and let loose on Nike’s decision pull the Air Max 1 USA.

Nike decided to pull the shoe after Colin Kaepernick complained that the American flag on the back was offensive.

The depiction on the heel of the shoe, often called the Betsy Ross flag, was one of many designed in the late 1700s to represent the 13 original colonies.

Do you agree with Mitch McConnell about Nike?

Kaepernick found the image to be too oppressive, according to a Wall Street Journal report.

McConnell was not impressed. “If we’re in a political environment where the American flag has become controversial to Americans, I think we have a problem,” he said.

Senator McConnell weighs in on Nike’s decision to pull the Betsy Ross shoes. “I’ll make the first order.” pic.twitter.com/QtMP1jXJpC

— Daniel Desrochers (@drdesrochers) July 2, 2019

Nike’s announcement was met with an immediate firestorm. Ted Cruz tweeted that he will boycott the company until further notice.

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

Scott Baio tweeted at Nike a message full of American flags.

Dear @Nike, ??????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????

— Scott Baio (@ScottBaio) July 2, 2019

And Doug Ducey, the governor of Arizona, rescinded millions of dollars’ worth of financial incentives promised to Nike for a new plant to open in his state.

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

But it may be McConnell’s closing comment that takes the red, white and blue cake.

“I hope Nike releases these shoes or some other shoe maker picks up the flag, puts it on a pair of shoes and starts selling it,” McConnell said. “I’ll make the first order.”

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Tags:

American flag, Colin Kaepernick, Mitch McConnell, Politics

G.S. Hair

Former Executive Editor, The Western Journal

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G.S. Hair is the former executive editor of The Western Journal.

G.S. Hair is the former executive editor of The Western Journal and vice president of digital content of Liftable Media.

After graduating law school from the Cecil C. Humphries School of Law, Mr. Hair spent a decade as an attorney practicing at the trial and appellate level in Arkansas and Tennessee. He represented clients in civil litigation, contractual disputes, criminal defense and domestic matters. He spent a significant amount of time representing indigent clients who could not afford private counsel in civil or criminal matters. A desire for justice and fairness was a driving force in Mr. Hair's philosophy of representation. Inspired by Christ’s role as an advocate on our behalf before God, he often represented clients who had no one else to fight on their behalf.

Mr. Hair has been a consultant for Republican political candidates and has crafted grassroots campaign strategies to help mobilize voters in staunchly Democrat regions of the Eastern United States.

In early 2015, he began writing for Conservative Tribune. After the site was acquired by Liftable Media, he shut down his law practice, moved to Arizona and transitioned into the position of site director. He then transitioned to vice president of content. In 2018, after Liftable Media folded all its brands into The Western Journal, he was named executive editor. His mission is to advance conservative principles and be a positive and truthful voice in the media.

He is married and has four children. He resides in Phoenix, Arizona.

Birthplace

South Carolina

Education

Homeschooled (and proud of it); B.A. Mississippi College; J.D. University Of Memphis

Location

Phoenix, Arizona

Languages Spoken

English

Topics of Expertise

Culture, Faith, Politics