When President-elect Donald Trump tweeted his support for L.L. Bean on Thursday morning, he may have given Maine’s legendary retailer at least a temporary boost in sales.
But he also lit a fire under the boycott movement that had targeted the privately-held company because one of its board members used her money to help the Republican nominee’s campaign.
Shannon Coulter, who put the Freeport-based firm on the boycott list, said Trump’s “unfortunate and embarrassing advertisement for Linda Bean and L.L. Bean grew and galvanized the #GrabYourWallet movement across party lines.”
Coulter said late Friday that it’s “certainly a testament to the strength and influence of the #GrabYourWallet movement that certain powerful people now feel compelled to Tweet advertisements for the companies being boycotted.”
Trump’s tweet hailed Linda Bean for her “great support and courage” and hailed the company her grandfather founded. Bean donated to a political action committee created to boost Trump’s chances in Maine.
It isn’t clear whether Trump backers flocking to buy from L.L. Bean are making up for any lost business from the boycott. But there’s little doubt the retailer would prefer to drop out of the political limelight and go back to selling its famous boots, gear and outdoor clothing.
It has said it does not take sides in politics. It has also shown no sign that it will comply with Coulter’s call to dump Linda Bean from its 10-member board.
Coulter said she is “hearing from many conservatives and particularly Christian conservatives who are also seeking a way to move toward a more respectful and inclusive society” in the wake of Trump’s unexpected comment on the controversy.
“I consider them allies,” she said.
Coulter said she gives “all the credit to the millions of people from all across the political spectrum who are flexing their consumer power in favor of a more respectful, inclusive society, including the many Mainers who are part of this effort.”
Coulter’s boycott list, started in October, has about 75 companies on it because they either sell Trump-branded items, sponsor Trump’s television show or have supported the president-elect.
Coulter said six companies have been dropped from the boycott list so far and another probably will be soon.
“The Honest Company reached out recently to let us know that it will no longer be a sponsor on future seasons of ‘The New Celebrity Apprentice,'” she said.
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