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Automaker Toyota has drawn fierce backlash for campaign donations to Republican members of Congress who refused to certify the 2020 election result.
“We do not believe it is appropriate to judge members of Congress solely based on their votes on the electoral certification,†a spokesperson for the company told Axios, which exposed $55,000 in donations to 37 elected GOP members of Congress, citing data compiled by the watchdog Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington.
“Based on our thorough review, we decided against giving to some members who, through their statements and actions, undermine the legitimacy of our elections and institutions,†the spokesperson added.
Toyota didn’t say which lawmakers it decided not to donate to via its corporate PAC.
Some 147 Republicans in Congress objected to the formal certification of President Joe Biden’s victory, even after the assault on the U.S. Capitol by a violent mob of ex-President Donald Trump’s supporters.
The excuse caused Toyota to trend on Twitter for the wrong reasons, with many outraged customers calling for a boycott of the company.
I briefly considered the Toyota Sedition, but settled on the Kia Sorento. More USB ports and 100 percent less insurrection. https://t.co/0GnZGY2B33
— Kara Swisher (@karaswisher) June 28, 2021
The error made by Toyota & others when they continue to support pols backing sedition is that they think it’s politics as usual. Many thoughtful, well-informed Americans consider those pols to pose an existential threat to democracy & now see Toyota as supporting that threat.
— David Rothkopf (@djrothkopf) June 28, 2021
I own a plug-in Prius hybrid that I’ve frequently praised on the air to our audience of 7 million; it’s the last car I’m buying from @Toyota. Any company that supports people trying to overthrow our republic is a company that has lost my support. https://t.co/mSeioEc4Ri
— Thom Hartmann (@Thom_Hartmann) June 28, 2021
Auto companies spend hundreds of millions of dollars convincing consumers that driving their car “says something about you”
Driving a Prius used to mean you cared about the environment. Now it’s a symbol of the Big Lie. Toyota just flushed decades of branding down the toilet
— Will Bunch (@Will_Bunch) June 28, 2021
BREAKING: Toyota debuting its new 2021 model, The Insurrection.
— John Pavlovitz (@johnpavlovitz) June 28, 2021
No matter what happens today, every PR person is thinking: Well at least I don’t work for Toyota!
— laura trujillo (@lauraftrujillo) June 28, 2021
Hey @Toyota! My family owns two Priuses (or Prii). One is ten years old and ready for a replacement. We won’t purchase another Toyota again. Have a nice day. https://t.co/MjFid6yd3g
— Jennifer Taub (@jentaub) June 28, 2021
Looking forward to the release of the new Toyota Sedition with the MAGA package
— willyam🏳️🌈 (@wbl_wbl) June 28, 2021
What a coincidence @Toyota I do not believe it is appropriate to buy cars from companies that fund politicians who try to overthrow our Democracy.
Wifey & I are deciding between Toyota, Honda, & Nissan for our next minivan. Let’s go places…not named Toyota. https://t.co/CTpbzpANyd
— Qasim Rashid, Esq. (@QasimRashid) June 27, 2021
Happy Monday to Toyota’s communications department.
— andrew kaczynski (@KFILE) June 28, 2021
Hey @Toyota, you are now the #1 sponsor of GQP Seditionists who all voted against certifying the election. We see what drives you.
— Ricky Davila (@TheRickyDavila) June 28, 2021
Good morning @Toyota, As a United States Army veteran who took an oath to defend the Constitution from enemies foreign and DOMESTIC, I really want to know why you continue to fund the Republican Party who assaulted our Democracy and freedoms.
— David Weissman (@davidmweissman) June 28, 2021
When corporations like @Toyota say “We do not believe it is appropriate to judge members of Congress solely based on their votes on the electoral certification,” what they’re really saying is “We care about our profits more than we care about democracy.”
— Citizens for Ethics (@CREWcrew) June 28, 2021
If @Toyota decides that truth, rule of law, and the tenets of democracy aren’t worth preserving, then maybe I decide that my Prius lease isn’t worth preserving either.
— Bryan Behar (@bryanbehar) June 28, 2021
