Pete Buttigieg says GOP falling in ‘delicious’ trap: ‘Coca-Cola, Disney and Bud Light are on the other side’
Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg said there’s something “delicious” about far-right members of Congress positioning themselves against corporations that promote diversity or progressive ideas as he believes it unites most Americans who are on the other side of the fence. Despite what seems like an increasingly polarised political environment, Mr Buttigieg expressed hope about common ground in America, in part thanks to the GOP, while speaking with Wired. Over the last few years, several notable right-wing members of Congress have blasted companies like Bud Light, Disney, Coca-Cola and American Express for promoting inclusivity. Speaking specifically to the Coca-Cola Company being called “woke” for protesting voter suppression laws in Georgia, Mr Buttigieg said, “There’s something delicious about the way that [Senator Ted Cruz] and the rest of them have positioned themselves on one side of the fence.” “And Netflix, Coca-Cola, Disney and Bud Light are on the other side. Along with most of America,” Mr Buttigieg added. Recently, anti-transgender people called for a boycott against Anheuser-Busch, the parent company of Bud Light, after they included a transgender woman in their advertising. Over the last year, Disney has been targeted by Florida Governor Ron DeSantis for openly criticising his legislation suppressing LGBTQ+ rights in the state. But many have publicly mocked Mr DeSantis for going after the massive corporation due to their conflicting beliefs. Mr Buttigieg seemingly pointed to the backlash, similar to the kind Mr DeSantis is facing, as an example of many Americans advocating for progressive ideas. “There may in fact be a center of gravity in this country that includes both a Democratic majority of the American people, and even something of a consensus, at least among mainstream business leaders,” Mr Buttigieg said. “We have certain commitments around democracy and inclusion that are really elemental to the whole system,” he added. In the interview, Mr Buttigieg said that while the two goals of the “mainstream right” were to “prevent legal access to abortion and to sustain lower taxes for the wealthy” they had to make “a lot of distasteful bargains” to get there. He cited coming after the US military as an example. “Sometimes the military—the military, of all institutions—comes under attack from the far right. On ideological grounds. Yet another front in the culture war,” Mr Buttigieg said. “You can only put yourself on the wrong side of so many red, white, and blue American institutions, and the question becomes, Is this about you?” Read More Bud Light fumbles, but experts say inclusive ads will stay Tesla shouldn't call driving system Autopilot because humans are still in control, Buttigieg says Disney updates lawsuit against DeSantis to add new events Pete Buttigieg says GOP falling in ‘delicious’ trap against US majority Tesla shouldn't call driving system Autopilot because humans are still in control, Buttigieg says AP News Digest 3 am
2023-05-19 17:28
Carl Froch tears apart Anthony Joshua’s ‘beginner’ performance against Robert Helenius
Carl Froch has delivered a brutal assessment of Anthony Joshua’s performance against Robert Helenius, accusing the British heavyweight of fighting like a ‘beginner’. Joshua knocked out Helenius, a late-notice replacement for Dillian Whyte, in Round 7 on Saturday (12 August) after fighting tentatively in the first six rounds. Despite “AJ” securing the emphatic knockout that he needed en route to a potential clash with Deontay Wilder, the former two-time world heavyweight champion did not do enough to impress Froch. Froch, a former unified super-middleweight champion, said on YouTube on Friday (18 August): “For me, it was a 5/10 performance. Okay, he got the job done, he knocked out Helenius in Round 7 with a decent [shot]. Helenius was exhausted by that point, which is why I thought the knockout came. “AJ timed him nicely with a jab to the body then brought the right hand over the top [...] I don’t think [Helenius] was knocked out cold, but he was exhausted. Once he got hit with that shot and went over, he probably thought to himself: ‘You know what? I’ve earnt my money, I’m not gonna win the fight, I’m not getting paid for overtime. Let’s stay down and go home.’ Why wouldn’t he? He boxed a week earlier. “It was poor, it was a weak opponent for this stage of AJ’s career, when he’s now looking at fighting someone like Deontay Wilder. If he’s looking at fighting Deontay Wilder on the back of that performance... that performance was awful, it was terrible, it was such a bad performance in so many ways. It was tentative, it was gun shy.” Helenius replaced Whyte after the Briton failed a drug test in the lead-up to his planned rematch with Joshua, who is in talks to box Wilder in early 2024. “He looked like he didn’t want to be in there at times,” Froch said of Joshua, 33. “He was getting outboxed with a weak, poor jab; [Helenius] wasn’t setting it up, he was smashing it, ram-rodding it in AJ’s face [...] Anthony Joshua was sitting back, waiting, looking confused, looking like he was scared to throw. “He’s not ready for the Deontay Wilder fight, I really don’t think he is. That performance does not set him up for a big showdown with Wilder [...] Style-wise, AJ is like a beginner, like a novice pro. Helenius had absolutely busted up AJ behind the jab. “[There was] swelling under his eyes, his nose was p***ing with blood, his mouth was bleeding – as we saw when he jumped out of the ring, which was a bit strange, and had a slurp on that nasty Irish stout that Conor McGregor shoved in his face. He had all blood and sweat and snot inside that point.” Froch, 46, also branded his fellow Briton “unprofessional” and “disrespectful” for the interaction with UFC star McGregor, which took place at ringside while Helenius received medical attention. Joshua vs Wilder is in the works for an early 2024 date in Saudi Arabia. American Wilder, 37, has not fought since knocking out Helenius in Round 1 in October. Click here to subscribe to The Independent’s Sport YouTube channel for all the latest sports videos. Read More Anthony Joshua has the blueprint to beat Deontay Wilder – is he brave enough to use it? Deontay Wilder’s manager offers rare comment on Anthony Joshua fight Anthony Joshua takes swig of Conor McGregor’s Irish stout after Helenius knockout
2023-08-18 23:48
Who is Marcus Veltri? 'AGT' Season 18's mysterious masked pianist might not move past auditions
It appears Marcus Veltri will not introduce himself in 'AGT' Season 18's audition round
2023-06-28 06:49
Zayo Bolsters Global Network Infrastructure, Increases Capacity to Meet Rapid Bandwidth Demand
BOULDER, Colo.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Oct 5, 2023--
2023-10-05 18:21
3 prospects the Yankees could trade not named Jasson Dominguez
The New York Yankees are in desperate need of help. Which prospects could be traded to bolster this struggling lineup?As the Aug. 1 MLB trade deadline approaches, many fans are wondering what the New York Yankees can do to turn this season around. Some are wondering if they will buy at the deadl...
2023-07-30 06:17
Mohamed Muizzu: The Maldives' new president wants India out
In an exclusive interview, Dr Mohamed Muizzu tells the BBC he wants all Indian troops removed.
2023-10-23 06:46
Spain players reiterate strike intention despite national call-up
Striking Spanish internationals called up to the women's team reiterated their desire not to form part of the squad in a statement late Monday in a new blow for...
2023-09-19 05:53
White House bets on plant-based diplomacy at India state dinner
President Joe Biden and first lady Dr. Jill Biden are set to fête India Prime Minister Narendra Modi Thursday evening at the White House, hosting a lavish, tented state dinner featuring a plant-based menu for their guest of honor, who is a vegetarian.
2023-06-22 12:22
Sara Sharif: Father claimed death was accident, says grandad in Pakistan
The grandfather of Sara Sharif tells the BBC he spoke to his son when he arrived in Pakistan.
2023-09-05 19:58
Michigan judge says Trump can stay on primary ballot, rejecting challenge under insurrection clause
A Michigan judge has ruled that former President Donald Trump will remain on the state’s primary ballot
2023-11-15 05:53
Mexico crime: Suspect held over young men's kidnapping
Prosecutors hope the arrest will shed light on the disappearance of five friends from Lagos de Moreno.
2023-10-03 19:49
Barcelona 2-0 Cadiz: Player ratings as late Pedri & Torres strikes spare Barca blushes
Player ratings and match report from Barcelona's 2-0 win against Cadiz in La Liga.
2023-08-21 03:51
You Might Like...
Russian Agricultural Bank could have SWIFT access within 30 days, UN tells Moscow
US Coast Guard rescues 25-year-old man more than a day after he went missing off Florida coast
Who is Julz Dunne? 3 unknown facts about LSU gymnast Olivia Dunne's 'forgotten' sister
DeSantis defends record fighting antisemitism after Jewish GOP state lawmaker flips endorsement to Trump
Mother arrested for abandoning toddler in stroller on side of LA street
UAE's al-Jaber promises young activists he'll listen; says nothing about fossil fuel ties
USMNT names 24-player roster for Concacaf nations league matches
McDonald's UK boss says fast-food chain faces weekly sex abuse claims
