- President Donald Trump has targeted more than a dozen companies including AT&T, Boeing, Facebook, Merck, Nordstrom, T-Mobile, Toyota, and Twitter.
- He has accused Amazon of abusing its relationship with the US Postal Service, called for boycotts of Macy’s and Apple, blasted General Motors for closing a plant in Ohio, and alleged that Google was rigging its search results against him.
- Visit Business Insider’s homepage for more stories.
President Donald Trump said last week that the “radical left” is using boycotts to “hurt their enemy.”
But “two can play that game,” the president warned on Twitter.
Indeed, Trump has targeted a number of companies during his time in office and while he was campaigning for president.
His targets have included Apple, Amazon, AT&T, Boeing, Facebook, GM, Google, Macy’s, Merck, Nordstrom, T-Mobile, Toyota, and Twitter. A spokesperson for the White House did not respond to Business Insider’s request for comment on this article.
Here are some of the companies Trump has criticized over the years:
Amazon
Trump has repeatedly attacked Amazon on Twitter. He has accused the tech giant of not paying enough taxes, abusing its relationship with the US Postal Service, and putting "many thousands of retailers out of business."
Trump also frequently accuses Amazon of influencing news coverage through the Washington Post, which is owned by Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos, and he once referred to Bezos as "Jeff Bozo."
I have stated my concerns with Amazon long before the Election. Unlike others, they pay little or no taxes to state & local governments, use our Postal System as their Delivery Boy (causing tremendous loss to the U.S.), and are putting many thousands of retailers out of business!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) March 29, 2018
So sorry to hear the news about Jeff Bozo being taken down by a competitor whose reporting, I understand, is far more accurate than the reporting in his lobbyist newspaper, the Amazon Washington Post. Hopefully the paper will soon be placed in better & more responsible hands!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 14, 2019
....In my opinion the Washington Post is nothing more than an expensive (the paper loses a fortune) lobbyist for Amazon. Is it used as protection against antitrust claims which many feel should be brought?
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) July 23, 2018
Apple
In 2016, Trump encouraged a boycott against Apple in response to the company's decision to prohibit FBI access to an iPhone owned by one of two shooters who killed 14 people in San Bernardino, California, in December 2015.
"Boycott all Apple products until such time as Apple gives cellphone info to authorities..." then-candidate Trump tweeted in February 2016.
I use both iPhone & Samsung. If Apple doesn't give info to authorities on the terrorists I'll only be using Samsung until they give info.
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) February 19, 2016
Boycott all Apple products until such time as Apple gives cellphone info to authorities regarding radical Islamic terrorist couple from Cal
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) February 19, 2016
The FBI later gained access to the locked phone without Apple's help.
Trump also called on Apple last year to move production from China to the US.
Apple prices may increase because of the massive Tariffs we may be imposing on China - but there is an easy solution where there would be ZERO tax, and indeed a tax incentive. Make your products in the United States instead of China. Start building new plants now. Exciting! #MAGA
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) September 8, 2018
AT&T
Trump appeared to encourage a boycott against AT&T in June.
If people stopped using AT&T, then the company "would be forced to make big changes at CNN," Trump tweeted.
AT&T acquired CNN through its $85 billion purchase of Time Warner in 2018.
I believe that if people stoped using or subscribing to @ATT, they would be forced to make big changes at @CNN, which is dying in the ratings anyway. It is so unfair with such bad, Fake News! Why wouldn’t they act. When the World watches @CNN, it gets a false picture of USA. Sad!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) June 3, 2019
Boeing
Trump targeted Boeing in April, saying the company should fix its 737 Max jets and rebrand the plane model after it was involved in two deadly crashes.
"What do I know about branding, maybe nothing (but I did become President!), but if I were Boeing, I would FIX the Boeing 737 MAX, add some additional great features, & REBRAND the plane with a new name," Trump tweeted. "No product has suffered like this one. But again, what the hell do I know?"
What do I know about branding, maybe nothing (but I did become President!), but if I were Boeing, I would FIX the Boeing 737 MAX, add some additional great features, & REBRAND the plane with a new name.
No product has suffered like this one. But again, what the hell do I know?— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) April 15, 2019
Trump also blasted Boeing in 2016 for the costs of a new Air Force One plane.
"Boeing is building a brand new 747 Air Force One for future presidents, but costs are out of control, more than $4 billion," Trump tweeted. "Cancel order!"
Boeing shares dipped following Trump's tweet.
Boeing is building a brand new 747 Air Force One for future presidents, but costs are out of control, more than $4 billion. Cancel order!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) December 6, 2016
Trump has called into question Facebook's plans to create a digital currency called Libra, saying it will have "little standing or dependability."
....Similarly, Facebook Libra’s “virtual currency” will have little standing or dependability. If Facebook and other companies want to become a bank, they must seek a new Banking Charter and become subject to all Banking Regulations, just like other Banks, both National...
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) July 12, 2019
He has also accused Facebook, along with Google and Twitter, of political bias.
Facebook was always anti-Trump.The Networks were always anti-Trump hence,Fake News, @nytimes(apologized) & @WaPo were anti-Trump. Collusion?
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) September 27, 2017
The only “Collusion” is that of the Democrats with Russia and many others. Why didn’t the FBI take the Server from the DNC? They still don’t have it. Check out how biased Facebook, Google and Twitter are in favor of the Democrats. That’s the real Collusion!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) November 15, 2018
General Motors
Trump targeted General Motors in March in a series of tweets that blasted the automaker for closing a plant in Lordstown, Ohio.
He urged the company to reopen its plant and said it "must act quickly." He also said GM "let our country down."
Because the economy is so good, General Motors must get their Lordstown, Ohio, plant open, maybe in a different form or with a new owner, FAST! Toyota is investing 13.5 $Billion in U.S., others likewise. G.M. MUST ACT QUICKLY. Time is of the essence!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) March 16, 2019
Just spoke to Mary Barra, CEO of General Motors about the Lordstown Ohio plant. I am not happy that it is closed when everything else in our Country is BOOMING. I asked her to sell it or do something quickly. She blamed the UAW Union — I don’t care, I just want it open!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) March 17, 2019
Democrat UAW Local 1112 President David Green ought to get his act together and produce. G.M. let our Country down, but other much better car companies are coming into the U.S. in droves. I want action on Lordstown fast. Stop complaining and get the job done! 3.8% Unemployment!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) March 17, 2019
Trump also threatened to cut subsidies to GM after the company announced plans to stop production at factories in Michigan, Maryland, and Ohio.
Very disappointed with General Motors and their CEO, Mary Barra, for closing plants in Ohio, Michigan and Maryland. Nothing being closed in Mexico & China. The U.S. saved General Motors, and this is the THANKS we get! We are now looking at cutting all @GM subsidies, including....
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) November 27, 2018
Trump said in July that his administration will "take a look" at billionaire investor Peter Thiel's claim that Google should be investigated on allegations that it aided the Chinese military.
"A great and brilliant guy who knows this subject better than anyone!" Trump tweeted, referring to Thiel. "The Trump Administration will take a look!"
“Billionaire Tech Investor Peter Thiel believes Google should be investigated for treason. He accuses Google of working with the Chinese Government.” @foxandfriends A great and brilliant guy who knows this subject better than anyone! The Trump Administration will take a look!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) July 16, 2019
Trump has also accused Google of rigging its search results against him.
"Google search results for 'Trump News' shows only the viewing/reporting of Fake News Media," he tweeted in 2018. "In other words, they have it RIGGED, for me & others, so that almost all stories & news is BAD."
Google search results for “Trump News” shows only the viewing/reporting of Fake News Media. In other words, they have it RIGGED, for me & others, so that almost all stories & news is BAD. Fake CNN is prominent. Republican/Conservative & Fair Media is shut out. Illegal? 96% of....
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) August 28, 2018
....results on “Trump News” are from National Left-Wing Media, very dangerous. Google & others are suppressing voices of Conservatives and hiding information and news that is good. They are controlling what we can & cannot see. This is a very serious situation-will be addressed!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) August 28, 2018
Macy's
Trump called for a boycott of Macy's after the retailer said it would stop selling Trump-branded products.
"Those who believe in tight border security, stopping illegal immigration & SMART trade deals w/other countries should boycott @Macy's," Trump tweeted in July 2015, one month after he announced his presidential campaign. "For all of those who want to #MakeAmericaGreatAgain, boycott @Macys. They are weak on border security & stopping illegal immigration."
He later said he hoped the Macy's boycott would continue forever and that "Macy's stores suck" and "are bad for U.S.A."
Trump posted the tweets after Macy's announced plans to stop selling Trump merchandise due to "disparaging characterizations" he made about Mexican immigrants.
Those who believe in tight border security, stopping illegal immigration & SMART trade deals w/other countries should boycott @Macys.
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) July 1, 2015
I hope the boycott of @Macys continues forever. So many people are cutting up their cards. Macy's stores suck and they are bad for U.S.A.
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) July 16, 2015
In January 2016, Trump cheered the company's declining share prices.
.@Macys was one of the worst performing stocks on the S&P last year, plunging 46%. Very disloyal company. Another win for Trump! Boycott.
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 7, 2016
Merck & Co.
Trump accused Merck of "taking jobs out of the US" after the pharmaceutical company's CEO, Kenneth Frazier, resigned from a White House council of business leaders.
"Now that Ken Frazier of Merck Pharma has resigned from President's Manufacturing Council, he will have more time to LOWER RIPOFF DRUG PRICES!" Trump tweeted in August 2017.
Now that Ken Frazier of Merck Pharma has resigned from President's Manufacturing Council,he will have more time to LOWER RIPOFF DRUG PRICES!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) August 14, 2017
.@Merck Pharma is a leader in higher & higher drug prices while at the same time taking jobs out of the U.S. Bring jobs back & LOWER PRICES!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) August 14, 2017
Frazier resigned from the White House council after Trump failed to explicitly denounce white nationalists involved in a deadly protest in Charlottesville, Virginia.
News media: The New York Times, The Washington Post, CNN, and more
Trump has lobbed criticism at a number of major news organizations while in office, branding several as biased, "fake news," and the "enemy of the people."
The news outlets he has targeted include The New York Times, The Washington Post, CNN, ABC News, NBC News, ESPN, and CBS.
Here's a sampling of his tweets against the media:
The Washington Post and New York Times are, in my opinion, two of the most dishonest media outlets around. Truly, the Enemy of the People! https://t.co/AG3vccsJvg
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) April 19, 2019
Look what Fake ABC News put out. I guess they had it prepared from the 13 Angry Democrats leading the Witch Hunt! #StopTheBias pic.twitter.com/c0XOk1btEQ
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) June 20, 2018
NBC News has totally and purposely changed the point and meaning of my story about General Robert E Lee and General Ulysses Grant. Was actually a shoutout to warrior Grant and the great state in which he was born. As usual, dishonest reporting. Even mainstream media embarrassed!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) October 14, 2018
While the reviews and reporting on our Border Immigration Agreement with Mexico have been very good, there has nevertheless been much false reporting (surprise!) by the Fake and Corrupt News Media, such as Comcast/NBC, CNN, @nytimes & @washingtonpost. These “Fakers” are Bad News!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) June 8, 2019
ESPN is paying a really big price for its politics (and bad programming). People are dumping it in RECORD numbers. Apologize for untruth!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) September 15, 2017
Nordstrom
Trump called out Nordstrom in 2017 for dropping his daughter Ivanka's fashion line.
"My daughter Ivanka has been treated so unfairly by Nordstrom," Trump tweeted. "She is a great person - always pushing me to do the right thing! Terrible!"
My daughter Ivanka has been treated so unfairly by @Nordstrom. She is a great person -- always pushing me to do the right thing! Terrible!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) February 8, 2017
Then-White House press secretary Sean Spicer backed up Trump's statement, saying Nordstrom's decision was a "direct attack on his policies and [Ivanka's] name."
Nordstrom said declining sales led to its decision to drop Ivanka Trump's brand.
"Each year we cut about 10% [of brands carried] and refresh our assortment with about the same amount," a Nordstrom representative told Business Insider at the time. "In this case, based on the brand's performance we've decided not to buy it for this season."
T-Mobile
Trump ripped into T-Mobile in 2015 with tweets that said the company was a "total joke" with "terrible" service.
.@T-Mobile has so many service complaints - a total joke!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) April 12, 2015
.@JohnLegere T-Mobile service is terrible! Why can't you do something to improve it for your customers. I don't want it in my buildings.
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) April 12, 2015
Toyota Motor Corp.
Trump once threatened to impose a fee on Toyota if the company built Corolla cars for the US market at a factory in Mexico.
"Toyota Motor said will build a new plant in Baja, Mexico, to build Corolla cars for U.S. NO WAY! Build plant in U.S. or pay big border tax," Trump tweeted in 2017.
Toyota Motor said will build a new plant in Baja, Mexico, to build Corolla cars for U.S. NO WAY! Build plant in U.S. or pay big border tax.
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 5, 2017
The automaker ultimately decided to open a new plant for Corolla production in Huntsville, Alabama.
Trump has attacked Twitter repeatedly, saying the company has tampered with his followers on the site.
"Facebook, Twitter and Google are so biased toward the Dems it is ridiculous!" Trump said in a tweet in 2018. "Twitter, in fact, has made it much more difficult for people to join @realDonaldTrump. They have removed many names & greatly slowed the level and speed of increase. They have acknowledged-done NOTHING!"
Facebook, Twitter and Google are so biased toward the Dems it is ridiculous! Twitter, in fact, has made it much more difficult for people to join @realDonaldTrump. They have removed many names & greatly slowed the level and speed of increase. They have acknowledged-done NOTHING!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) December 18, 2018
Trump has also accused Twitter of removing some of his followers and "burying" negative news about Hillary Clinton.
Facebook, Google and Twitter, not to mention the Corrupt Media, are sooo on the side of the Radical Left Democrats. But fear not, we will win anyway, just like we did before! #MAGA
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) March 19, 2019
