Gov. Glenn Youngkin (R-VA) directed his political committee and office not to use Eventbrite, an online platform in which users host and schedule events, in the wake of the platform's alleged censorship.
Eventbrite came under harsh criticism from conservatives after it removed an event scheduled by Riley Gaines, an activist advocating the protection of women's sports from transgender women. While the online event platform censored Gaines, it has not taken action to remove events in support of the Hamas terrorist group.
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Youngkin explained companies that make statements on politics need to "live with the consequences" and that the pushback Eventbrite has received is "warranted."
"First of all, Eventbrite continues to carry events around Hamas, which is unbelievable, but then, on top of that, to proactively terminate an agreement with Riley is beyond belief," Youngkin said Monday during an appearance on The Clay Travis and Buck Sexton Show. "And to say that they are trying to protect some group and not the other, I think, results in the kind of action that I've taken."
.@GlennYoungkin tells @ClayTravis and @BuckSexton he's fired @eventbrite after they banned @Riley_Gaines_ while promoting pro-Hamas events.
— The Clay Travis & Buck Sexton Show (@clayandbuck) October 30, 2023
More in the podcast: https://t.co/WvNDsUybBx pic.twitter.com/khdbnJ4Eqk
Beyond telling his office and political committee not to use Eventbrite, Youngkin also directed listeners of the show not to use or respond to invitations from Eventbrite.
"What should happen to these companies that take these kinds of stances?" Youngkin said. "The customers can fire them, and in our case, we fired them."
Gaines said on Thursday that people should give Eventbrite "the Bud Light treatment" for canceling her event — a reference to Bud Light's financial woes after it partnered with transgender social media personality Dylan Mulvaney. Gaines thanked Youngkin on social media for taking a stand against Eventbrite.
More of this????????
— Riley Gaines (@Riley_Gaines_) October 30, 2023
On behalf of all sensible people, thank you for your stance! @GovernorVA https://t.co/AK0JxyEEQM
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Gaines was in Virginia to join student-athletes at Roanoke College to protest the school's decision to allow a transgender woman to join the women's swim team. The athlete has since left the roster. Youngkin said during his appearance on the podcast that he was "so proud" of the women's swim team at Roanoke College for standing up against the school's decision.
The Washington Examiner contacted Youngkin's office for comment.