U.S. News
Toyota to stop donations to Republicans who contested 2020 election results
WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW:
- Toyota announced on Thursday that they will stop giving donations to Republican lawmakers who contested the results of the 2020 election.
- The move came after Axios reported that the automotive manufacturer donated $55,000 to GOP objectors.
- In a statement, Toyota said that the “vast majority” of their contributions this year “went to Democrats and Republicans who supported” certifying President Joe Biden’s win.
Following a backlash on social media, Toyota announced on Thursday that they will no longer be making donations to members of Congress who contested the 2020 election results.
The announcement was made one week after Axios reported that Toyota contributed $55,000 to Republican objectors, leading all major companies in donations — and shortly after The Lincoln Project released an online ad calling on people to take action.
“We understand that the PAC decision to support select Members of Congress who contested the results troubled some stakeholders,” the company wrote in a statement. “We are actively listening to our stakeholders and, at this time, we have decided to stop contributing to those Members of Congress who contested the certification of certain states in the 2020 election.”
Toyota also noted in the statement that the “vast majority” of their contributions this year “went to Democrats and Republicans who supported” certifying President Joe Biden’s election.
A company spokesperson told The Washington Post that Toyota will not seek refunds for past contributions.
According to data gathered by the watchdog group Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington, Axios reported that Toyota’s donations to Republican objectors were double the amount of those from the second-highest donor, San Diego-based defense contractor Cubic Corp.
At the time, a company spokesperson told the outlet in a statement that “we do not believe it is appropriate to judge members of Congress solely based on their votes on the electoral certification.”
Following the publication of the report, in addition to backlash from social media users, The Lincoln Project released their critical ad — which was scheduled to run on Fox Business and CNBC, according to The Detroit News.
“We’re just getting warmed up,” The Lincoln Project wrote on social media after Toyota’s announcement. “We’ve won this round, but there are more fights right in front of us — more corporations, financiers, and seditionists we need to hold accountable.”
Following the Jan. 6 attack on the Capitol, a number of major companies announced that they would stop making political contributions to lawmakers who voted against certifying the election results.
However, as the Associated Press recently noted, in the months since the insurrection, a number of companies have resumed donations. Since then, Walmart, Pfizer, Intel, General Electric and AT&T have all donated money to organizations that support Senate and House Republicans in elections, per the news agency.
Source: People
John F. Allan
July 12, 2021 at 3:30 pm
I was just getting ready to pick out a new truck at my toyota dealer, guess I’ll be going to the FORD dealer my son got his truck from two years ago. I will copy this and hand it out at my F.O.P. meeting in two weeks.
ROBERT R KWAPISZ
July 12, 2021 at 4:50 pm
John, I will be doing the same thing no more Toyotas in my garage.
Victoria Spangler
July 12, 2021 at 5:27 pm
I totally agree. Ford trucks are awesome anyway.
Joanna Thalheimer
July 12, 2021 at 3:43 pm
Good for you John F.
I was about to suggest that Americans (especially Republicans) no longer buy a Toyota. Let the Democrats buy them.
We will see how long it is before Toyota starts to lose money.
The nerve of this company.
Marjorie Ford
July 12, 2021 at 3:52 pm
Toyota “Let’s Go Places”. Thank you Toyota for the best vehicle on the road.
Richard
July 12, 2021 at 3:59 pm
Hey Marge. Hope it “goes places” alright…right up your a$$!
Tim
July 12, 2021 at 4:30 pm
I have always been a Honda guy. Toyota can continue to run with political fear.
Victoria Spangler
July 12, 2021 at 5:28 pm
Yes Honda cars are just as good maybe better. And Toyota can’t beat a Ford Truck ever.
Hal Stuble
July 12, 2021 at 4:38 pm
Owned 5 Toyota’s WILL NEVER BUY AGAIN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
James S Cribelar
July 12, 2021 at 4:56 pm
This is an ignorant stance for Toyota to take. Forget Toyota, there’s Honda, Nissan , and many others to choose from. Toyota will pay for this stupid decision by lose of sales. Goodbye , Toyota . I guess you don’t need the American market , and WE don’t need you !
DenounceOutsideInfluence
July 15, 2021 at 10:52 am
How about everybody just BUY AMERICAN ????
Rich
July 12, 2021 at 5:28 pm
Just as some people have chosen to believe the LIE, others have not. What’s the problem?
Victoria Spangler
July 12, 2021 at 5:29 pm
No problem. No Toyota.
PATTY
July 12, 2021 at 8:23 pm
IF I HAD A TOYOTA I WOULD GET RID OF IT TOMORROW!!!!!!!! I NEVER DID LIKE THAT CAR?????? NOW I AM GLAD I DID NOT ACTUALLY BUY ONE!!!!!!! I WILL ALWAYS “BOYCOTT ANY BUSINESS THAT SUPPORTS DEMS/FRAUD PARTY!!!!!!!!!!!!! I PERSONALLY HOPE THAT “ALL” THE BUSINESS THAT DO GO BROKE!!!!!!!!!!
James Harrison
July 12, 2021 at 10:48 pm
There will be no Toyotas in my future driveway. Enough of these corporations getting involved in politics.
GomeznSA
July 12, 2021 at 11:00 pm
I ‘may’ be needing a new car soon (‘old’ one in shop for repairs) but toyota is now off the possibles list.
They are certainly allowed to donate to who they want but the lame excuse that they concocted for this action is simply lame. Seems to me there is now a slogan for such acts – ‘get woke go broke’…………….unfortunately it will likely hurt our local economy since they build a lot of their pickups here 🙁
Robert Paeth
July 13, 2021 at 1:06 am
“However, as the Associated Press recently noted, in the months since the insurrection …”
As Christopher Wray, director of the FBI, categorically stated in Congressional testimony, there was no insurrection on January 6th! That should be crystal clear!!