Caitlyn Jenner is going after “woke” Nike because they dared to… pick a transgender influencer to promote their sports bras…
Yes, transgender celeb Caitlyn Jenner, who herself bravely transitioned nearly a decade ago now — and is in fact maybe the most famous trans woman in the world — is slamming the sports apparel company for backing transgender influencer Dylan Mulvaney with a new set of promos! WTF?!?!
Related: Kid Rock Came For Dylan Mulvaney This Week, Too, And It Was F**KED UP!
The 73-year-old ex-reality TV star’s most recent controversy kicked off on Thursday. The former California gubernatorial candidate (LOLz) took to Twitter to give her thoughts about Nike’s decision.
First, the I Am Cait alum referenced Nike’s founder and former CEO Phil Knight in critical remarks about the “shame” she has in seeing the company go “so woke” in recent years:
“As someone that grew up in awe of what Phil Knight did, it is a shame to see such an iconic American company go so woke! We can be inclusive but not at the expense of the mass majority of people, and have some decency while being inclusive. This is an outrage.”
As someone that grew up in awe of what Phil Knight did, it is a shame to see such an iconic American company go so woke! We can be inclusive but not at the expense of the mass majority of people, and have some decency while being inclusive. This is an outrage. https://t.co/VJoLCvTyBt
— Caitlyn Jenner (@Caitlyn_Jenner) April 6, 2023
An outrage?! Over a brand sponsorship?! REALLY??
Related: Caitlyn Praises ‘Strong’ Khloé Kardashian, But There’s A Catch…
It’s pretty rich coming from Kris Jenner‘s ex, of course. But after Caitlyn got roundly criticized for her unfortunate initial take on the matter, she returned to Twitter a few hours later with even more. For one, the Malibu resident demanded context be put in place regarding her earlier “woke” comments. She claimed her Mulvaney criticism was specifically referencing the case of ten-time Olympic medalist Allyson Felix:
“A little context… I did a collab with H&M (I have done many athletic brand collabs over the years as a successful athlete). I don’t blame Dylan (smart move). I did not like how Nike treated Allyson Felix when she became pregnant. I spoke on the outrage of disparity in their pay”
A little context…I did a collab with H&M (I have done many athletic brand collabs over the years as a successful athlete). I don’t blame Dylan (smart move????). I did not like how Nike treated Allyson Felix when she became pregnant. I spoke on the outrage of disparity in their pay https://t.co/U3fMaMM3td
— Caitlyn Jenner (@Caitlyn_Jenner) April 7, 2023
Felix was formerly a Nike-sponsored athlete who left the company after they supposedly failed to guarantee the remainder of her sponsorship contract once she became pregnant in 2018.
While Nike has not commented on her claim, the world-class runner wrote an op-ed for the New York Times in 2019 recounting her frustration over allegedly being pushed out from her formerly lucrative brand deal after the company “wasn’t willing” to wait while she started a family:
“I’ve been to four Olympics, I’ve had the successes, and my value is still not being seen. Even after becoming a mom, I still had that desire to run, I still knew I was capable. But I was left without shoes to wear at the Tokyo Olympics, which is not ideal for a runner.”
Like we noted up top, Nike has yet to comment specifically on the claims made by Felix in that now 4-year-old NYT op-ed. It’s not the only time this week we’ve seen that story bandied about as a talking point for right-wing criticism of Nike. They just happen to suddenly care about how women are treated right after the partnership with a trans person. It’s almost like that’s not really what they’re angry about. After all, they’re also going nuts about Dylan’s partnership with Bud Light, so… maybe it’s really just the existence of trans people they have a problem with??
Later, Jenner returned to Twitter once more to add another message with LOTS OF CAPS LOCK tacked on:
“EQUALITY > INCLUSIVITY (STOP TRYING TO ERASE WOMEN). The differences between men and women are real and are a good thing! It doesn’t make trans ppl a bad thing, either. Why is it so black and white with the RADICAL RAINBOW MAFIA?!”
EQUALITY > INCLUSIVITY (STOP TRYING TO ERASE WOMEN). The differences between men and women are real and are a good thing! It doesn’t make trans ppl a bad thing, either. Why is it so black and white with the RADICAL RAINBOW MAFIA?! https://t.co/iRh7NNsfFa
— Caitlyn Jenner (@Caitlyn_Jenner) April 6, 2023
OMG…
The “radical rainbow mafia.” They aren’t the ones launching angry tirades over a single cis person getting a brand deal, Caitlyn!
Nike has been the subject of a high-profile boycott for days now after picking Mulvaney for their most recent partnership. The controversy is pretty wild considering Mulvaney isn’t even the first transgender star Nike has chosen to align with in recent years!! Back in 2021, Nike partnered with 26-year-old transgender pro soccer player Mara Gomez, who plays in Argentina’s highest-level league. But obviously things have only gotten worse with the conservatives’ attacks on the LGBTQ+ community since then…
Over on Instagram this week, the world-famous brand demanded its followers be “kind” and “inclusive” in comments on their page, lest they run the risk of deletion:
“You are an essential component to the success of your community. We welcome comments that contribute to a positive and constructive discussion. Be kind. Be inclusive. Encourage each other. Hate speech, bullying, or other behaviors that are not in the spirit of a diverse and inclusive community will be deleted.”
Obviously, on her own social media app of choice, Caitlyn has chosen not to comment in that inclusive spirit. We’ve known for years this was the ludicrous endpoint of her totally un-self-aware conservative support. As they get more and more anti-trans in their stupid culture wars, Caitlyn was bound to eventually just decry her own existence.
Reactions, Perezcious readers??
[Image via MEGA/WENN/Avalon]
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