Delta announced that they’d cease offering discounts to NRA members after a boycott campaign targeted them, along with countless other firms that had any affiliation with the NRA whatsoever.
Firms that have severed their ties with the NRA have seen declines in public perception, and are vulnerable to counter-boycotts from conservatives.
Delta is reaching out to the NRA to let them know we will be ending their contract for discounted rates through our group travel program. We will be requesting that the NRA remove our information from their website.
— Delta (@Delta) February 24, 2018
Hilariously, despite all the media attention, in Delta’s entire history, only 13 passengers have ever purchased a Delta ticket with an NRA discount. Thirteen.
What an odd situation they were in. They’ve alienated five million NRA members over a discount that nobody bothered to use, and all they had to do was keep the discount in effect, which may as well have not existed because nobody used it. Remember, no NRA member cares that the Delta’s discount for their membership is gone. They’re simply mad that Delta is taking a political stand opposite of their own.
It wasn’t just consumers upset either. In response to Delta’s policy change, Georgia’s Lt. Governor Casey Cagle vowed to kill any tax legislation that benefits Delta unless the company changes its position and fully reinstates its relationship with National Rifle Association.
I will kill any tax legislation that benefits @Delta unless the company changes its position and fully reinstates its relationship with @NRA. Corporations cannot attack conservatives and expect us not to fight back.
— Casey Cagle (@CaseyCagle) February 26, 2018
And his state has since followed through.
According to Breitbart,
Georgia lawmakers voted Thursday to do away with a tax break for Delta Air Lines after it joined in a political boycott, severing ties with the NRA.
The tax break consisted of a $50 million jet fuel tax exemption.Fox New quoted Georgia Lt. Gov. Cagle, saying, “Businesses have every legal right to make their own decisions, but the Republican majority in our state legislature also has every right to govern guided by our principles.”
Delta attempted to quell the backlash against its decisions by saying, “Delta’s decision [to sever ties with the NRA] reflects the airline’s neutral status in the current national debate over gun control amid recent school shootings. Out of respect for our customers and employees on both sides, Delta has taken action to refrain from entering this debate and focus on its business. Delta continues to support the 2nd Amendment.”
NEW: "We are in the process of a review to end group discounts for any group of a politically divisive nature," Delta CEO Ed Bastian says following political repercussions in company's home state of Georgia for cutting ties with NRA. https://t.co/TNd3qqDCSH pic.twitter.com/5SvoY1P3sA
— ABC News (@ABC) March 2, 2018
What do you think? Will Delta back down now that the tax subsidy has been taken away? Tell us what you think below!
