American cyclist suspended by team after pro-Trump comments
Source: Associated Press
GENEVA (AP) -- American cyclist Quinn Simmons was suspended by the Trek-Segafredo team on Thursday after posting antagonistic comments on social media in support of President Donald Trump.
"Regrettably, team rider Quinn Simmons made statements online that we feel are divisive, incendiary, and detrimental to the team, professional cycling, its fans, and the positive future we hope to help create for the sport," Trek-Segafredo said in a statement. " He) will not be racing for Trek-Segafredo until further notice."
...
The 19-year-old rider reacted Wednesday when Dutch journalist Jos Been posted on Twitter that she hoped for her American friends that "this horrible presidency ends for you," adding "if you follow me and support Trump, you can go."
Simmons replied by writing "Bye" with an emoji of a dark-skinned hand waving.
When a separate account replied "Apparently a Trumper," Simmons countered "That's right" with a United States flag symbol.
Read more: https://apnews.com/article/donald-trump-netherlands-cycling-media-social-media-05b5d642bf0ddab40b0c5b95115b2b4c
I'm of mixed opinion about this. All he posted was that he supports Trump, and they suspended him. No insults, no derision, just a confirmation that he supports Trump. And this is in a sport, cycling, that has multiple teams sponsored by criminal regimes as PR campaigns (Astana - Kazakstan, Bahrain McLaren, Israeli Start Up Nation, and Team UAE Emirates).
hlthe2b
(102,225 posts)Raven123
(4,828 posts)As a Trumper he likely supports Right to Work , which as we know is code for, the employer has absolute control.
ToxMarz
(2,166 posts)or in this case Shut up and Ride
bullwinkle428
(20,629 posts)follower of pro cycling, and of course, this ignited a shit-storm of comments online. I guess Simmons has a quite a history of lots of questionably ugly RW stuff on his social media. It's a mix of kids being raised up in a rather toxic mix of privilege and ignorance along with easy access to a means of spreading those ill-informed views to literally everyone else in the world with access to the Internet.
SunSeeker
(51,550 posts)This dude is mocking people of color. He, like virtually every Trumper, is a racist.
catbyte
(34,373 posts)Calista241
(5,586 posts)BlueStater
(7,596 posts)But aside from that, fuck him.
Fullduplexxx
(7,857 posts)Right to work that means an employer can fire you for any reason with or without cause. And so he was fired by a policy with which he was probably ok.
CaptYossarian
(6,448 posts)Let the crowds boo him and the other riders shun him. He can also lose all endorsements except for Goya beans and MyPillow.
Miguelito Loveless
(4,460 posts)there are clear lines that one cannot cross and remain a decent human being. Support for Trump is now one of those lines. Trump has clearly signaled he will not accept a loss in November and will order violence to remain in power.
That is what this person is supporting.
LiberalLovinLug
(14,173 posts)"...there are clear lines that one cannot cross and remain a decent human being. Support for Trump is now one of those lines"
Yup. Trump is, rightfully, loathed around the world. In the US it might only be only 55% against him, but much more so in other countries. Maybe its a bit of seeing the forest for the trees. Not only a loathsome person, but places like Europe have history to warn them of emerging authoritarian tyrants.
I like this tweet in the same thread. I sometimes ask this of Trumpsters too. Its like many of them do not even know how to answer questions like this, and they don't. Owning libs is their only goal. I usually also add "What specifically has he done to improve you or your families lives during his term?". They never can answer simple questions like this. Instead of cutting him, I'd rather he answer this.
Link to tweet
?s=20
Devil Child
(2,728 posts)IronLionZion
(45,427 posts)Yeehah
(4,585 posts)His employer made the correct decision to fire an imbecile trump bumpkin.
not fooled
(5,801 posts)or businesses, so it's up to them whether they want their brands linked to trumpism.
Also, apparently most cycling takes place in Europe, so not exactly a popular stance over there.
Owl
(3,641 posts)Maxheader
(4,372 posts)Screw the rightwinger crowd..they give us nothing but trash leaders...
I got rid of my pro-gop relatives, haven't talked to them in years...
Its a clean feeling...
Happy Hoosier
(7,285 posts)Good Riddence to bad rubbish.
a la izquierda
(11,791 posts)I honestly couldnt tell you the political beliefs of any cyclists, except this dude.
Considering he rides for a team owned by a private company, 🤷🏻?♀️. Probably keep your views private. But now he gets to play persecuted snowflake.
I spend a lot of time in the Netherlands and have lots of friends of varying political persuasions. They all, to a person, despise Trump.
kiri
(794 posts)I, too, spent a lot of time in the Netherlands as a "supertech" for MRI, CTs, nuclear medicine, other advanced medical equipment. I was astonished by how so many business meetings began with a prayer of an ultra-conservative type. There are many Dutch ultra-evangelists who believe Trump is the messiah.
a la izquierda
(11,791 posts)I have a good friend who lives in Krimpenerwaard, Zuid-Holland, and you're right, there is a sort of Dutch Bible Belt that exists near there. I guess considering all my friends are city folks (R'dam, A'dam, and Utrecht), religion to them is not remotely a part of their lives. But my friends have commented on what they perceive as backwardness of Dutch Christians. I'll have to ask them about the prayer part, I wonder if they've ever had to deal with that.
beachbumbob
(9,263 posts)from making some that can be an issue. Don;t have any sympathy
oldsoftie
(12,531 posts)SunSeeker
(51,550 posts)This dude is mocking people of color. He, like virtually every Trumper, is a racist.
oldsoftie
(12,531 posts)but then i've got odd friends. One guy has a woman emoji. Whatever they call them.
SunSeeker
(51,550 posts)SunSeeker
(51,550 posts)Link to tweet
It's the Twitter version of wearing blackface. This dude is mocking people of color. He, like virtually every Trumper, is a racist.
How can you say there were "no insults, no derision"?
Griefbird
(96 posts)for butthurt righties.
Hortensis
(58,785 posts)biker for a company that depends on sponsorships (developed for advertising purposes by the PR departments of various corporations), we know this action will have broken an important provision of the contract he entered into.
If he wants to be a paid pro on the corporate dime, he'll just have to abide by what is intended to be a mutually beneficial contract. His parents and various others will probably be helping him understand that.
But hey, if this 19-year-old's moral core won't allow that, he's now once again free to race in whatever amateur competitions he can afford, on his own with far fewer contractual obligations to others. Ride free and proud, kid!