Rand Paul calls for Republicans to boycott Coca-Cola

Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky.) is calling on Republicans to boycott Coca-Cola after the company stated its disapproval for a new voting law in Georgia. 

“If they want to boycott us why don’t we boycott them,” Paul said during an appearance on Fox News on Tuesday. “This is the only thing that will teach them a lesson. If Coca-Cola wants to only operate in Democrat states and have only Democrats drink them, God love ’em. We’ll see how well they do when half the country quits drinking Coca-Cola.” 

Sen. Rand Paul (R-KY) on Fox News: “If they want to boycott us, why don’t we boycott them? This is the only thing that will teach them a lesson …” pic.twitter.com/IhPbOpETBH

— The Recount (@therecount) April 6, 2021

After the controversial bill was passed by Republicans in Georgia late last month, Coca-Cola CEO James Quincey called the measure “unacceptable.” 

“Let me be crystal clear and unequivocal, this legislation is unacceptable, it is a step backward and it does not promote principles we have stood for in Georgia, around broad access to voting, around voter convenience, about ensuring election integrity, and this is frankly just a step backwards,” Quincey said. 

A slew of other companies followed, including Delta Air Lines, JP Morgan Chase and Major League Baseball, which pulled its annual All-Star Game out of Atlanta over the bill’s passage. 

Democrats have argued the bill makes it harder for many people, particularly minorities, to vote. Republicans say the bill is needed to beef up election security amid a growing distrust among conservatives with the electoral process following the 2020 elections. 

Coca-Cola is headquartered in Atlanta. 

Former President Trump last week called on his supporters not to support Coca-Cola and other companies that have voiced opposition to the Georgia elections bill and similar measures being proposed by Republicans around the country.

“For years the Radical Left Democrats have played dirty by boycotting products when anything from that company is done or stated in any way that offends them. Now they are going big time with the WOKE CANCEL CULTURE and our sacred elections,” Trump said in a statement over the weekend. “It is finally time for Republicans and Conservatives to fight back— we have more people than they do— by far! Boycott Major League Baseball, Coca-Cola, Delta Airlines, JPMorgan Chase, ViacomCBS, Citigroup, Cisco, UPS and Merck. Don’t go back to their products until they relent. We can play a better game than them.” 

A group of GOP state lawmakers in Georgia wrote a letter to the CEO of the Georgia Beverage Association asking their office no longer be stocked with Coca-Cola products. 

“Given Coke’s choice to cave to the pressure of an out of control cancel culture, we respectfully request all Coca-Cola Company products be removed from our office suite immediately,” the letter reads. “Should Coke choose to read the bill, share its true intentions and accept their role in the dissemination of mistruths, we would welcome a conversation to rebuild a working relationship.”