Latest news with #andInclusion
Time of India
6 days ago
- Business
- Time of India
Is McDonald's closed today? Here's the truth behind the boycott buzz
1 2 McDonald's is back in the headlines—and not for launching a new McFlurry flavor or a nostalgic Happy Meal toy. Instead, the fast-food giant is at the center of a growing social media storm as calls for a nationwide boycott ripple across the United States. But if you're wondering whether your local McDonald's is closed today, here's the quick answer: No, McDonald's outlets remain open. Despite the online uproar and coordinated boycott, the company hasn't shut down any of its U.S. restaurants. Yet. The boycott: Who's behind it and why? The heat started turning up when The People's Union USA, a consumer activist group, announced a week-long boycott from June 24 to June 30. Their reasons? A laundry list of accusations, ranging from 'tax avoidance' and 'price gouging' to 'fake diversity promises' and 'worker exploitation.' 'We're boycotting McDonald's because they've shown time and time again that profit matters more than people,' said John Schwarz, founder of The People's Union, in a statement to USA TODAY. He didn't hold back, adding that the company's Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) campaigns felt more like 'promotional stunts than systemic change.' The call to action? Stop supporting a company that, according to him, talks a progressive game but fails to deliver real change behind the scenes. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Giao dịch CFD với công nghệ và tốc độ tốt hơn IC Markets Đăng ký Undo Impact on business: The early signs Even before the boycott week officially launched, McDonald's was already showing signs of stress: Q1 revenue dropped 3.5%, with U.S. customer traffic reportedly dipping. Stock prices slid 10% over the past month, as investor confidence wavered. Analysts suggest even a one-week consumer boycott could visibly dent quarterly performance, especially if social pressure keeps growing. While no official numbers from the boycott have been released yet, the sheer volume of buzz online hints at something more than just a passing protest. So, are the restaurants closed? Despite all the noise, McDonald's has not closed any U.S. locations due to the boycott. There's been no official statement from the company indicating temporary closures or scaled-back operations. That said, the corporate silence has only fueled more speculation. Will the company address the boycott head-on? Will they tweak their messaging, prices, or labor policies? So far, McDonald's has remained largely tight-lipped.
Economic Times
6 days ago
- Business
- Economic Times
The McDonald's boycott explained: Who's leading it, what they're demanding, and when it's happening
TIL Creatives The McDonald's boycott is called by the activist group, The People's Union USA, which launches a fresh protest as part of a broader campaign targeting major corporations. (Representative Image) McDonald's is the latest major corporation facing a boycott, as a growing consumer-led protest movement takes aim at the fast-food giant over issues ranging from tax avoidance and labor practices to performative diversity efforts. The protest, running from June 24 to June 30, is organized by The People's Union USA, a group known for its recent economic 'blackouts' against Amazon, Walmart, Target, and General Mills. The group's founder, John Schwarz, laid out five reasons for the McDonald's boycott in a recent Instagram post, accusing the company of corporate hypocrisy and exploitation. The group says its mission is to 'expose corruption and exploitation' and to 'hold corporations accountable through organized economic action.'Schwarz claims McDonald's pays less in taxes than its own minimum wage workers by exploiting loopholes and offshore tax havens. The company has raised menu prices in recent years, despite posting record profits, which Schwarz says amounts to profiteering at the expense of ordinary customers. The group also alleges that McDonald's has used franchise structures to avoid direct accountability for worker conditions and has lobbied against wage hikes and union chain's global supply chain, according to the group, is linked to deforestation, labor abuse, and unsustainable agriculture the company promotes DEI (Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion) in advertising, Schwarz accuses McDonald's of donating to political causes and candidates that undermine equity and labor (Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion) refers to workplace and supplier policies that aim to support underrepresented communities. McDonald's had previously committed to such goals, including efforts to diversify leadership and supplier networks. However, in early 2025, the company began to scale back its DEI initiatives, dropping leadership diversity targets and ending some supplier programs. On the right, DEI has become a flashpoint in the culture wars, especially after Donald Trump's return to the presidency in 2025, when he issued executive orders to eliminate 'illegal DEI' in both government and corporate boycott is spearheaded by The People's Union USA, a populist watchdog organization. Since February, the organization has called for boycotts of other major brands and is planning future actions against Starbucks, Home Depot, and Lowe' remains unclear. Previous boycotts have had mixed results. Some caused temporary dips in sales or stock price, while others had little what's clear is that the battle over DEI is now a central issue in America's culture war, and major brands like McDonald's are caught in the middle.
Time of India
6 days ago
- Business
- Time of India
The McDonald's boycott explained: Who's leading it, what they're demanding, and when it's happening
McDonald's faces a boycott led by The People's Union USA. The group cites tax loopholes and high prices as reasons. They also allege poor labor practices and supply chain issues. The boycott highlights concerns over DEI policy changes. Previous boycotts had varied success. The action puts McDonald's in the middle of a culture war. The McDonald's boycott is called by the activist group, The People's Union USA, which launches a fresh protest as part of a broader campaign targeting major corporations. (Representative Image) Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads Why Is McDonald's Being Boycotted? Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads Who Is Behind the Boycott? Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads Will It Have an Impact? McDonald's is the latest major corporation facing a boycott, as a growing consumer-led protest movement takes aim at the fast-food giant over issues ranging from tax avoidance and labor practices to performative diversity efforts. The protest, running from June 24 to June 30, is organized by The People's Union USA, a group known for its recent economic 'blackouts' against Amazon, Walmart Target , and General group's founder, John Schwarz , laid out five reasons for the McDonald's boycott in a recent Instagram post, accusing the company of corporate hypocrisy and group says its mission is to 'expose corruption and exploitation' and to 'hold corporations accountable through organized economic action.'Schwarz claims McDonald's pays less in taxes than its own minimum wage workers by exploiting loopholes and offshore tax company has raised menu prices in recent years, despite posting record profits, which Schwarz says amounts to profiteering at the expense of ordinary group also alleges that McDonald's has used franchise structures to avoid direct accountability for worker conditions and has lobbied against wage hikes and union chain's global supply chain, according to the group, is linked to deforestation, labor abuse, and unsustainable agriculture the company promotes DEI (Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion) in advertising, Schwarz accuses McDonald's of donating to political causes and candidates that undermine equity and labor (Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion) refers to workplace and supplier policies that aim to support underrepresented communities. McDonald's had previously committed to such goals, including efforts to diversify leadership and supplier in early 2025, the company began to scale back its DEI initiatives , dropping leadership diversity targets and ending some supplier the right, DEI has become a flashpoint in the culture wars, especially after Donald Trump's return to the presidency in 2025, when he issued executive orders to eliminate 'illegal DEI' in both government and corporate boycott is spearheaded by The People's Union USA, a populist watchdog February, the organization has called for boycotts of other major brands and is planning future actions against Starbucks, Home Depot, and Lowe' remains unclear. Previous boycotts have had mixed results. Some caused temporary dips in sales or stock price, while others had little what's clear is that the battle over DEI is now a central issue in America's culture war, and major brands like McDonald's are caught in the middle.
Time of India
20-06-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Is Pentagon erasing Juneteenth? A mail from Pete Hegseth's office to staff has raised concerns
US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth 's office sent an email to staff requesting a "passive approach" to celebrating Juneteenth. Observed on June 19 each year, Juneteenth is a federal holiday in the US and commemorated to end the slavery in the country, reported Rolling Stone. Hegseth, whose work includes scrubbing Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) from the US military, downplayed the holiday, requesting that the Pentagon take a 'passive approach' with its Juneteenth messaging this year. Pete Hegseth on Juneteenth This messaging request for Juneteenth was transmitted by the Pentagon's office of the chief of public affairs. This office said it was not poised to publish web content related to Juneteenth, Rolling Stone reported. A Pentagon official told Rolling Stone that the Defense Department 'may engage celebrations that build camaraderie and esprit de recognition of historical events and notable figures where such recognition informs strategic thinking, reinforces our unity, and promotes meritocracy and accountability.' by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like At Last, An ED Pill for 87¢ That Actually Works Health Alliance by Friday Plans Learn More Undo ALSO READ: Why has Trump dropped Pete Hegseth, Tulsi Gabbard from his inner circle to navigate secret Iran action plan? The mandate comes at a time when Trump's attack on diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives (DEI) across the government, including the US military, which Pete Hegseth has enthusiastically executed. Live Events 'The President's guidance (lawful orders) is clear: No more DEI at @DeptofDefense,' Hegseth said in a January post on X. 'The Pentagon will comply, immediately. No exceptions, name-changes, or delays,' Hegseth also wrote. He posted an apparently hand-written note that read 'DOD ≠ DEI.' Hegseth, a former Fox News host, has continued to promote anti-DEI rhetoric, alleging that DEI policies endanger military personnel. He has not provided any evidence to corroborate his claim. During a Senate hearing last week, he said, "DEI is dead. We replaced it with a colur-blind, gender-neutral, merit-based approach and the force is responding incredibly." When asked by Rolling Stone, the Pentagon said that the Department of Defense "may engage in the following activities, subject to applicable department guidance: holiday celebrations that build camaraderie and espirit de corps; outreach events (eg, recruiting engagements with all-male, all-female, or minority-serving academic institutions) where doing so directly supports DoD's mission; and recoginition of historical events and notable figures where such recogintion informs strategic thinking, reinforces our unity, and promotes meritocracy and accountability." ALSO READ: Amazon's 30-day deadline to employees amid mass layoff fear: Resign in 60 days or... Asked for comment by the Guardian, a defense spokesperson said: 'We have nothing additional to provide on this.' No DEI programs at Pentagon Shortly after he was confirmed as Defense Secretary, Hegseth said there would be "no more" DEI programs at the Pentagon. This was followed by President Donald Trump's executive order ending DEI programs across the government. The Pentagon went on to cancel a slew of historical and cultural annual events, including observances of Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Pride Month, Holocaust Days of Remembrance, National Disability Employment Awareness Month and Women's History Month. The Defense Department also marked thousands of files for deletion in a purge of so-called DEI content, the Associated Press reported in March. In late April, Hegseth declared that he had 'proudly ENDED' the Pentagon's Women, Peace, and Security program. The initiative was originally established under the Women, Peace, and Security Act, which Trump signed into law during his first term. The legislation aimed to ensure that the U.S. supported the meaningful inclusion of women in efforts to prevent, manage, and resolve violent conflicts through mediation and negotiation. ALSO READ: Trump vs Tulsi Gabbard: Is US President planning to fire US spy chief over provocative anti-war video? Trump signed an executive order in January that eliminated DEI in the military. He also appeared to sound off on DEI initiatives in an address to graduating West Point cadets on 24 May. 'They subjected the armed forces to all manner of social projects and political causes, while leaving our borders undefended and depleting our arsenals to fight other countries' wars. We fought for other countries' borders but we didn't fight for our own borders, but now we do like we have never fought before,' Trump said. He also stated 'the job of the US armed forces is not to host drag shows or transform foreign cultures', an apparent allusion to drag shows on US military installations.
Yahoo
12-06-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Huffines Backed by Gaines, Kirk In ‘DOGE Texas' Comptroller Race
Riley Gaines, a national advocate for protecting women's sports from 'transgender' participation, has endorsed Don Huffines for Texas Comptroller in a video posted to X. She was quickly joined by Turning Point USA founder Charlie Kirk, who called Huffines 'Ron Paul meets Donald Trump.' 'This is a spiritual battle,' Gaines said, praising Huffines for opposing DEI and gender identity programs in government spending. 'He's been calling this out long before it was politically convenient.' In the 90-second video, Gaines calls the Comptroller role 'the CFO of Texas,' with the power to defund what she described as 'anti-American hatred' funded through Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion initiatives. She urged Texans who care about protecting children, parental rights, and women's sports to rally behind Huffines. Huffines responded: 'Thank you, Riley! You're absolutely right, this is a spiritual battle. I'm honored to have your support as we DOGE Texas and expose the taxpayer-funded DEI and transgender madness infecting government.' Charlie Kirk also posted his endorsement on X: As The Dallas Express previously reported, Huffines is campaigning on his DOGE Texas platform—Dedicated to Optimizing Government Efficiency—with a focus on exposing waste, fraud, and abuse in state government and directing savings to property tax relief. The former state senator and Dallas businessman has pledged $10 million of his own money to the race and has secured endorsements from Sen. Ted Cruz, Texas Right to Life, and Vivek Ramaswamy. His main Republican primary opponent, Railroad Commission Chair Christi Craddick, is backed by major energy sector donors. Craddick emphasizes regulatory experience, while Huffines casts himself as an outsider determined to shake up state government. With endorsements from high-profile conservative voices and grassroots influencers alike, Huffines is positioning his campaign as a cultural and fiscal reckoning—one that aims to root out waste, defund 'woke' spending, and restore accountability in Austin.
