L.L. Bean has found itself under threat of boycott from activists after Linda Bean, granddaughter of founder Leon Leonwood Bean and a member of the company's board of directors, was reported last week to have donated to a pro-Donald Trump political action committee.
It's the latest brand to drift into a blizzard of political vitriol over a perceived stance on the Republican president-elect.
Linda Bean, who owns a chunk of the closely-held maker of clothing and outdoor recreational goods, is a longtime political donor who twice ran unsuccessfully for Congress as a Republican. She contributed $60,000 to Making America Great Again LLC, according to the Federal Election Commission. The agency said in a letter dated Jan. 4 that her contribution exceeded the individual donor limit of $5,000, according to The Associated Press.
After news of the donation emerged, anti-Trump group Grab Your Wallet called for a boycott of L.L. Bean's products. Founded in October, Grab Your Wallet publishes a list of companies and individuals who support Trump and urges consumers to punish them by withholding their cash.
Freeport, Maine-based L.L. Bean was quick to respond to its appearance on the list, posting a 325-word statement on its Facebook page. In it, Executive Chairman Shawn Gorman wrote that the company has more than 50 family members who are owners, and that no one person speaks for the clothier. He said he was "deeply troubled" that L.L. Bean was being portrayed as a partisan entity.
"L.L. Bean does not endorse political candidates, take positions on political matters, or make political contributions," Gorman said. "Simply put, we stay out of politics. To be included in this boycott campaign is simply misguided, and we respectfully request that Grab Your Wallet reverse its position."
Business on 01/10/2017