USA

Patagonia boycotts ski resort after owner hosts the Trump supporter Marjorie Taylor Greene fundraiser

Patagonia, the iconic sportswear company that’s built a worldwide reputation on outdoor athleticism and environmental activism, will no longer supply Jackson Hole Mountain Resort with its products after a resort owner hosted a fundraiser featuring Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene and other top supporters of former President Donald Trump.

The resort, which operates several retail stores, will stop receiving Patagonia products following a fundraiser that an owner, Jay Kemmerer, co-hosted on Aug. 5 that featured former White House chief of staff Mark Meadows, Rep. Jim Jordan (R-Ohio) and Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga.).

Patagonia’s ​​head of communications and policy, Corley Kenna, told in a statement that the decision was made to align with the company’s values.

“Those that know us in Jackson Hole are aware that we make business decisions and build relationships in alignment with our values and advocacy efforts. Just over a year ago, we stopped advertising on Facebook and Instagram over a year ago as part of our commitment to stop the spread of hate speech and misinformation on climate,” Kenna said.

“We join with the local community that is using its voice in protest,” Kenna added. “We will continue to use our business to advocate for policies to protect our planet, support thriving communities and a strong democracy.”

The move came after Jay Kemmerer, one of the resort’s owners, co-hosted a fundraiser Aug. 5, 2021, at a posh Jackson hotel for the House Freedom Caucus. U.S. Rep Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Georgia), former Trump White House Chief of Staff Mark Meadows and U.S. Rep. Jim Jordan (R-Ohio) headlined the event. Admission to the event cost a minimum of $2,000 per couple.

The three have parroted the former president’s false claims of election fraud and been panned by conservation groups for their environmental records. Patagonia and the caucus also diverge on social priorities like voting rights and advocacy for minorities and disadvantaged groups, according to widely reported public positions.

Patagonia signaled the resort could start selling its products again but only if a commitment to “protecting the planet” was demonstrated by its owners, The Washington Post reported.