A $1 million donation to Donald Trump's inaugural committee by a San Francisco doughnut shop owner has sparked widespread controversy.
According to the Daily Mail, The backlash includes an onslaught of negative online reviews and declared boycotts by patrons.
Andrew Dudum, who co-owns George's Donuts & Merriment and is also the CEO of the telehealth company Hims & Hers, made the substantial donation which was first reported by the San Francisco Chronicle. The donation has provoked a wide range of responses from the public and patrons alike, impacting the café's reputation.
Shortly after the donation was publicized, numerous poor reviews began to surface on the café's Yelp and Google review pages. Some of these reviews were subsequently removed either by the review platforms or the users themselves for lack of feedback.
Angered customers have not limited their discontent to review pages alone. Statements expressing disappointment and intentions to boycott have appeared on other social media like Facebook. One user lamented on Facebook: "Darn, and I wanted to try George’s. No more."
Another disgruntled customer was quite forthright in a Yelp review, stating, "Oh gosh! $1 million donations to Trump by this cafe's owners? That's too much!! Will spend my money elsewhere from now on." This specific comment highlights the direct financial implications such actions can have on small businesses.
In the face of scrutiny, Dudum has publicly shared his views, particularly regarding health and obesity, on the social media platform X. He expressed a desire to "start addressing the root causes of conditions like obesity and put the power back in the hands of the individual patient."
This reflects his broader approach and collaboration with political figures to tackle significant health issues in the U.S. Dudum and Trump's apparent shared focus on addressing the obesity epidemic highlights a potential alignment in their health policy views.
Despite the controversy, George's Donuts & Merriment remains a popular spot in San Francisco, known for its long lines and local favor. This popularity underscores the complex dynamics between business operations and political affiliations.
Responding to the backlash, a spokesperson from Hims & Hers reached out to comment on the situation, emphasizing the company’s objectives in the healthcare field. "For far too long, our current healthcare system has forced Americans to struggle to get essential medications and the care they need, especially for stigmatized conditions," the spokesperson explained via email to SF GATE.
They further elaborated on their mission, "We think we can help change the status quo and prioritize patient choice and well-being by engaging with the political leaders committed to doing this same work." This statement suggests a proactive stance in leveraging political connections to enhance healthcare frameworks.
Andrew Dudum was not alone in making significant contributions to Trump’s inauguration. The inaugural committee raised $170 million with ambitions to reach up to $200 million, with major contributions from large corporations like Amazon, Meta, and Uber.
Some of these backers, despite being major contributors, were placed on waitlists for the inaugural events as ticket sales hit their maximum capacity, showcasing the high level of interest and financial influx into political events of this nature.
The inauguration funds were allocated for various ceremonies, with any excess planned to support initiatives such as Trump’s prospective presidential library, revealing the enduring influence and complex governance behind such large-scale political funding.
