Benny Johnson Responds to Viral Video of Target Employee Harassed for Wearing Freedom Shirt
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Benny Johnson Responds to Viral Video of Target Employee Harassed for Wearing Freedom Shirt
A 72-year-old Target employee in Chico, California became the center of national attention after being confronted and harassed by a healthcare worker for wearing a Charlie Kirk 'Freedom' shirt while working. The incident, which went viral across social media platforms, sparked widespread support for the elderly employee and led to a police investigation. Benny Johnson addressed the confrontation, calling it part of a larger spiritual battle between good and evil, while supporters raised over $81,000 to send the employee on a well-deserved vacation.
Viral Confrontation at Target Over Charlie Kirk Shirt
A video showing a healthcare worker confronting and berating a 72-year-old Target employee over her Charlie Kirk 'Freedom' shirt has sparked national outrage and led to a police investigation. The incident occurred in Chico, California, where the elderly worker, identified as Janine, was performing her regular duties stocking baby clothes when she was approached and filmed by Michaela Ponce, a healthcare worker and immigration activist whose TikTok handle is 'mother of ballers.'
The confrontation, which was posted to social media and received 1.1 million likes on TikTok, shows Ponce aggressively questioning why the Target employee was wearing the shirt featuring an American flag, Charlie Kirk's signature, and the word 'freedom.' Throughout the heated exchange, Ponce repeatedly called the employee 'stupid' and accused her of supporting a racist, while the elderly worker remained calm and professional.
The Heated Exchange
In the viral video, Ponce can be heard saying: 'Why do they let you wear that shirt here?' When the employee explained that Target allows workers to wear any red shirt, Ponce escalated the confrontation, stating: 'It's not a plain shirt. It's a Charlie Kirk shirt. Are you [expletive] stupid? Why the [expletive] would you wear that?'
The Target employee maintained her composure throughout the encounter, calmly responding to each accusation. When accused of supporting a racist, she simply stated: 'He's not a racist.' As the confrontation continued, she politely declined to argue further, saying: 'I'm sorry, but I'm not going to stand here and argue with you.'
Ponce demanded that the employee get her manager and insisted the shirt was 'unacceptable' and that wearing it should not be allowed at work. The employee simply responded: 'That's your opinion.'
Benny Johnson's Response
Benny Johnson addressed the incident, framing it as part of a larger cultural and spiritual conflict. 'Imagine that you've taken time out of your holiday season to go harass a 72-year-old working retail at Target stocking children's clothes because she's wearing a shirt that is so offensive to you,' Kirk stated. 'Why? It has an American flag on it, Charlie Kirk's signature, and the word freedom. That's the shirt.'
Johnson confirmed that Target's dress code policy allows employees to wear any red shirt, making the employee's choice completely within company guidelines. He characterized the confrontation as evidence of a deeper battle: 'This is why I say that it's a spiritual battle, man. It's the forces of darkness, good versus evil, darkness versus light. This is why I say it's a spiritual battle. Could you imagine being such an absolute goblin? These people's souls are blackened.'
Police Investigation and Employer Response
Following the incident, the Chico Police Department launched an investigation into the confrontation. The situation escalated when people began contacting Ponce's employer, Enloe Health, about the incident.
Enloe Health issued a public statement addressing the controversy: 'The Chico Police Department is investigating a social media post in which a personal account of an Enloe Health employee. We are deeply concerned about the tenor of this post and the response that is creating for individuals of all political persuasions. We ask for patience and calm as we conduct our own internal investigation on this matter.'
The statement continued: 'In the meantime, we are relying on the expertise of the Chico Police Department to investigate any potential criminal activity threats related to it. Currently extremely high call volumes related to this post are overwhelming our switchboard clinic phone lines negatively impacting the patients ability to reach clinical staff. If you wish to share a comment with Enloe Health related to this employee social media post, please email us.'
Overwhelming Public Support
The response from supporters has been overwhelming. A GiveSendGo fundraiser titled 'Give Janine from Target a Vacation' was established to help the elderly employee recover from the ordeal and enjoy some time off during the holiday season.
The fundraiser description read: 'Monday in Chico, California, an elderly Target employee found herself at the center of national attention by being filmed. Somebody only described as unhinged. The individual berated her fellow Californian with unwarranted fury because she was wearing a shirt supporting Charlie Kirk. Now we are hoping to raise enough money so that she can afford a much-needed vacation. Time to relax and recharge and forget about the ugliness. Please help us send this incredible woman on an unforgettable trip, peace of mind amidst all that has transpired, or even just let her splurge on Christmas, whatever she needs.'
The fundraiser quickly gained traction, raising over $81,000 from supporters across the country. Donors left heartwarming messages of support and encouragement for Janine.
Messages of Support Pour In
The comments section of the fundraiser became filled with messages of encouragement and solidarity:
'Come retire to Florida where your kindness will be appreciated. We love you and merry Christmas.'
'Thank you for displaying Christian values in the face of evil, intolerant leftists. Wear your shirt with pride. Buy a dozen more. We are praying for you. Merry Christmas.'
'You're a national treasure. Enjoy your vacation Miss Janine.'
'You are a Christmas angel but a lovely lady with poise and dignity. Love and wishes. Merry Christmas overflow kindly from Arizona.'
A Call for Unity and Kindness
Johnson used the incident to highlight what he sees as the enduring goodness in American society, despite the negative attention such confrontations receive. 'The world and darkness seems so loud and it seems so overwhelming and then you see something like this,' he reflected, noting that a previous GiveSendGo campaign for a woman attacked in Cincinnati had raised half a million dollars.
'We live in a beautiful country that still has good and decent people absolutely everywhere in every single corner and we need to keep it that way,' Johnson stated. 'This is of course why we demand a high trust society to live in for our children.'
He concluded by encouraging people to contribute to Janine's fundraiser, emphasizing that 'we still have such a great nation.'