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3w ago

BarkBox CEO Apologizes for Comparing Pride to MAGA, Commits Full Donation

The pet-supply firm will continue offering Pride items as optional add-ons despite backlash from across the political spectrum.

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A maltipoo puppy named Coco wears Pride-themed sunglasses during Washington, D.C.'s Pride Walk and Rally on July 12, 2021.
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Bark.co's extensive Pride 2025 collection includes an LGBTQ+ cactus, and a "daddy dolphin) (Bark.co)

Overview

  • A leaked internal message likened LGBTQ+ Pride products to hypothetical MAGA merchandise and urged pausing their promotion as “politically charged.”
  • CEO Matt Meeker issued a public apology, calling the remarks “disrespectful and hurtful” and accepting responsibility for the lapse.
  • BarkBox confirmed it will not remove its Pride collection and will make the items available only as optional add-ons for subscribers.
  • The company pledged to donate 100% of revenue from its 2025 Pride products to an LGBTQ+ advocacy organization.
  • Conservatives such as Jenna Ellis and LGBTQ+ advocates have criticized the handling of the Pride line, mirroring other retailers’ recent pullbacks from Pride and DEI initiatives.