It seems like Target’s decision to release Pride merchandise has backfired as conservative backlash and a subsequent boycott have taken a toll on the company’s stocks. The media, particularly CNN, has been quick to defend Target and criticize the boycotters, but their efforts may not be enough to salvage the situation.
Oliver Darcy, a senior media reporter at CNN, has been actively engaging in this debate, characterizing the boycotters as extremists and painting the targeted companies as victims. However, it appears that his arguments may not hold much weight as Target’s stock has plummeted by a significant 14% since the boycott began.
Another CNN reporter, Nathaniel Meyersohn, attempted to downplay the impact of the boycott, attributing the stock dip to general retail concerns. However, Axios has pointed out that the boycott has been a major factor in Target’s declining stock value.
In a rather strange turn of events, a writer for the Washington Post, Lindsay Schubiner, has even attempted to connect the boycott movement to white nationalism, a claim that seems rather far-fetched and unsupported.
The media’s attempts to defend Target and depict the boycotters as irrational have been met with ridicule. For instance, they highlighted the designer of some of Target’s merchandise, Erik Carnell, who referred to Satan as a symbol of hope, compassion, equality, and love. Unsurprisingly, this led to accusations and controversy.
Despite the support from the media, the boycott against Target shows no sign of slowing down. In fact, an alt-right rapper named Forgiato Blow has released a song titled “Boycott Target,” which has been gaining popularity on iTunes.
As the media continues to fuel the flames of this boycott, it remains to be seen how long they can sustain their defense of Target. Will they eventually face the consequences of their actions? Only time will tell. In the meantime, we invite you to share your thoughts on this whole Target controversy in the comments section.