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“Crazy day in Sarasota airport, I was sitting next to a young man before boarding that had on a Trump shirt with middle fingers and a red coat came over and told him some lady complained and he had to change his shirt or he could not get on the plane. He turned his shirt inside out, and we all boarded. Next thing I know, right before takeoff, a Delta employee comes on the plane and escorts him off the flight, he had flipped his shirt back to the decal side. IDK but I’ve seen way worse….girl half naked boarded and left alone,” the uploader wrote.
As the man walked down the aisle with his luggage, a video captured him saying, “I’m getting kicked off because of my shirt.” He didn’t hold back in criticizing the Delta employee who escorted him off, sarcastically referring to her as “stupid-ass Wendy” after reading her name tag.
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Delta Airlines’ Contract of Carriage states that the airline may refuse to transport or remove passengers from its aircraft in certain situations, including when “the passenger’s conduct, attire, hygiene or odor creates an unreasonable risk of offense or annoyance to other passengers.” This clause seems to be at the heart of the airline’s decision to remove the passenger, but the move has sparked intense debate.
Some individuals have come to Delta’s defense, arguing that the removal wasn’t about the political message of the shirt but rather the vulgarity displayed on it. “It’s not about Trump, it’s about decency,” some have stated, pointing to the airline’s policy as justification.
However, many others are furious, viewing the incident as an infringement on the man’s First Amendment rights. Social media platforms have been inundated with calls to boycott Delta Airlines, with critics accusing the company of discriminating against passengers based on their political views.
One social media user expressed their outrage, writing, “Last I checked, we were the land of the free, not the land of ‘if you support Trump, you’re grounded.’ This isn’t just un-American; it’s a new low in political pettiness. When did expressing your political preference become a boarding pass issue? #FreedomOfExpression”
Carry 46 rounds concealed? (comfortably)
The incident has ignited a larger conversation about the boundaries of free speech and how far companies can go in regulating what their customers wear. While Delta may have been operating within its stated policies, the removal of the passenger has undoubtedly struck a nerve with many who feel that the airline went too far.
As calls for a boycott continue to gain momentum, it remains to be seen how Delta Airlines will respond to the growing backlash. Will the company double down on its stance, or will it attempt to make amends with the passenger and the broader public? One thing is certain: this incident has touched a raw nerve in an already polarized political climate, and the fallout may just be beginning.
