Wendy’s donating $500K to social justice amid controversy over franchisee CEO’s Trump donation

Wendy’s has pledged to donate $500,000 toward supporting “social justice, the youth and education in the Black community” after it recently drew criticism on social media following reports that the CEO of one of its franchisees donated thousands of dollars to President Trump’s campaign.

“Our voice would be nothing without Black culture. Right now, a lot of people are hurting because of blatant racism against Black people. Their voices need to be heard. Period. #BlackLivesMatter,” the company said in a series of tweets on Wednesday.

“We’re about putting our money where our mouth is. So here’s our money and here’s our mouth,” the company continued. “We are committed to donating $500k to support social justice, the youth and education in the Black community starting with the Thurgood Marshall College Fund and we’ll have receipts.”

We’re about putting our money where our mouth is. So here’s our money and here’s our mouth. We are committed to donating $500k to support social justice, the youth and education in the Black community starting with the Thurgood Marshall College Fund and we’ll have receipts.

— Wendy’s (@Wendys) June 3, 2020

In the coming days, we’ll be using our Twitter account to amplify Black voices. Because what’s the point of this big platform if we don’t use it for what matters during times like these?

— Wendy’s (@Wendys) June 3, 2020

“#WendysIsOverParty” trended across Twitter earlier this week after reports re-emerged of donations James Bodenstedt, the CEO of Muy! Companies, made to the president’s re-election campaign over the past two years. According to CNN, the company owns hundreds of Wendy’s, Taco Bells and Pizza Huts across the country.

Business Insider, which covered the donations back in May, reported that Bodenstedt has donated over $440,000 to Trump’s campaign since 2018. 

The social media firestorm surrounding Wendy’s came as a number of prominent figures and brands have drawn criticism online for comments made in response to the death of George Floyd or the subsequent protests that have taken place in the country.

The “#WendysIsOverParty” trend came as some appeared to confuse reports of Bodenstedt’s support for Trump’s reelection bid with that of the fast-food brand.

On Wednesday, a Twitter user asked Wendy’s in response to its statement whether it would “be willing to speak out about the accusations that your company is supporting Donald Trump’s 2020 re-election campaign?”

Wendy’s replied: “We never have and will never contribute to a presidential campaign. For the record our CEO has always kept that same energy too. Facts.”

We never have and will never contribute to a presidential campaign. For the record our CEO has always kept that same energy too. Facts.

— Wendy’s (@Wendys) June 3, 2020

Another account pasted a link to Business Insider’s report on Bodenstedt’s donations, tweeting: “You were saying? #WendysIsOver.” 

In response, Wendy’s linked back to its statement about never contributing to a presidential bid, writing: “We said what we said.”

we said what we said https://t.co/2xXBykBe7u

— Wendy’s (@Wendys) June 4, 2020