Politics

Mitch McConnell’s Fourth Of July Photo Takes A Shot At Nike, Kaepernick

(Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)

Virginia Kruta Associate Editor
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Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell tweeted a Fourth of July photo that appeared to take direct aim at Nike and former 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick.

“Happy Fourth of July!” McConnell tweeted, sharing a photo of the original Betsy Ross design of the American flag.

McConnell’s photo came following reports that Nike canceled the release of a patriotic-themed shoe, featuring the Betsy Ross flag, after complaints from Kaepernick suggesting that the flag could be viewed as a symbol of racism.

Nike released a statement following the move, saying, “Nike has chosen not to release the Air Max 1 Quick Strike Fourth of July as it featured the old version of the American flag.” (RELATED: Arizona Drops Nike Investment After Betsy Ross Shoe Is Scrapped)

McConnell responded to Nike’s decision earlier in the week, saying that if Nike went ahead with production anyway — or if another company took up a similar design — he would “make the first order.”

Since the shoes were recalled, a few pairs have made it to online auction sites. One such e-Bay listing was up to $8,800 by the time of publication.