Wendy’s, a fast-food leader in social media, found itself in some hot water this week when fans and customers of the brand learned of a franchisee’s donations to Donald Trump‘s presidential campaign. The beloved burger chain responded late Wednesday, taking to Twitter with a statement in support of the recent protests, revealing they were donating to social justice organizations.
“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. We’re about putting our money where our mouth is. So here’s our money and here’s our mouth,” the statement read in a series of tweets. “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.”
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They went on to share how they have heard their employees and customers, who have spoken loud and clear. “We know we have a lot more to do than a donation. We’re committed to doing the work and we hear you,” they wrote.
Furthermore, when asked by a fan of the brand if there was any truth to alleged reports from Business Insider that Wendy’s itself supported a Trump campaign, they replied most assertively that it was not at all the case. “We never have and will never contribute to a presidential campaign,” they wrote. “For the record, our CEO has always kept that same energy too. Facts.”
The initial controversy stemming from social media spawned the hashtag “WendysIsOverParty” on Tuesday. Scroll down to see more reactions from Twitter users over the franchisee who made the donation, not the parent company.
@RickeySmiley it wasnโt CEO of Wendyโs, it was only 1 franchise owner that donated. I am not defending it nor am I by any means a Trump supporter. I just want to make sure we get the facts straight. pic.twitter.com/vasnX9npLp
โ Corey IAmLegend (@CoreyIAmLegend) June 2, 2020
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Wendyโs made sure we were aware that their franchise owner donated to trumps re-election on his own, and that had nothing to do with their views. They donated $500k to support social justice, the youth, and education in the Black community, and the Thurgood Marshall College Fund.
โ T A R V A R S (@Itztj_again) June 4, 2020
That @Wendys account really liked talking all that shit to people and being shady. Now where you at?? ๐ค๐ค๐ค #Wendys #WendysIsOverParty pic.twitter.com/3aAigU3Oxa
โ Roger๐ (@limegreenroger) June 2, 2020
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WELP. Thatโs that on that, friends. You wonโt catch me here no more. On to McDonaldโs. #WendysIsOverParty pic.twitter.com/IjUi1HWdkU
โ Ren๐ (@price_ren) June 2, 2020
To the man that drove through the Wendyโs on Montauk hwy a couple years ago….. your work hasnโt gone unnoticed. Thinkin about u a lil extra today king <3 #WendysIsOverParty pic.twitter.com/clT7UpmYOZ
โ shannon (@lilnoooodle) June 2, 2020
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Wendyโs, imma need you to log out for me. #WendysIsOverParty pic.twitter.com/gCZSZElVga
โ ๐๐๐ (@purpleartist01) June 2, 2020
Wendyโs, Pizza Hut, and Tbell donated to Trumpโs re-elect campaign. All the more reason for yโall to cut that nasty shit out your diets ๐คข๐คข๐คข#WendysIsOverParty
โ C๐ BLM โ๐ผโ๐พโ๐ฟ (@cecilialucente) June 3, 2020
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so youโre telling me wendyโs donated 400k to a billionaire… #WendysIsOverParty pic.twitter.com/0ItlJcB1WB
โ papi_sam (@papisam13) June 2, 2020
All the other fast food chains when they see the #WendysIsOverParty tag trending pic.twitter.com/4XWsRRNZgO
โ ๐ฐ๐๐๐๐ช (@ilikebeyblades) June 2, 2020
โ
RIP Wendy’s 4 for 4 ๐๐ญ
โ ๐ณ ๐ ฐ ๐ฝ ๐ ธ ๐ด ๐ ป (@daniloo_pr) June 2, 2020
I will miss you ๐ฅบ#WendysIsOverParty @Wendys pic.twitter.com/rRo9YJlukU
There’s always Five Guys and so far none of them are racist! #WendysisoverParty pic.twitter.com/jmHd9cv0H6
โ Thomi Johnson (@JohnsonThomi) June 2, 2020
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youโve brought me nothing but pain today @Wendys #WendysIsOverParty pic.twitter.com/RONnmrV5Yw
โ ProfessorRemake (@ProfessorRemake) June 2, 2020
Couldnโt pay me 8.75 a year ago but can give a rich tangerine 400k #WendysIsOverParty pic.twitter.com/VQjKytyxsi
โ 2020 is actually Y2k (@FentressJada) June 2, 2020
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#WendysIsOverParty Wendyโs PR when they checked Twitter this morning….. pic.twitter.com/1qZA0G09qk
โ Giselle Ann (@GiselleAnnxx) June 2, 2020
#WendysIsOverParty donโt forget these other resturants as if they didnโt do anything either ๐ฅฐ pic.twitter.com/8TVhgORM8j
โ โป (@unconve) June 2, 2020