Allstate insurance is facing boycott threats on social media after CEO and chairman Tom Wilson’s controversial advice to Americans in the wake of Wednesday’s terror attack in New Orleans.
Wilson addressed the Superdome crowd and ESPN’s television audience prior to kickoff at Thursday’s Allstate Sugar Bowl – a College Football Playoff quarterfinal postponed by the terrorist attack that killed 14 and injured more than 30 in the French Quarter early New Year’s Day.
‘Welcome to the Allstate Sugar Bowl,’ Wilson began in a pre-recorded clip before Notre Dame’s win over second-seeded Georgia. ‘Wednesday, tragedy struck the New Orleans community. Our prayers are with the victims and their families.’
‘We also need to be stronger together by overcoming an addiction to divisiveness and negativity. Join Allstate working in local communities all across America to amplify the positive, increase trust, and accept peoples’ imperfections and differences. Together we win.’
According to the FBI, Wednesday’s terror attack was carried out by 42-year-old US citizen and 13-year Army veteran Shamsud-Din Jabbar, who rammed his truck into a crowd on Bourbon Street before being killed in a firefight with police at around 3:15am. Jabbar’s truck reportedly carried an ISIS flag.
To many, Wilson’s comments were insufficient in the wake of such a terrorist attack. What’s more, many leading conservative voices have since urged followers to cancel Allstate policies.
College football fans were not happy with the message from Wilson before the Sugar Bowl
To many, Wilson’s comments were insufficient in the wake of such a terrorist attack
Sean Davis, the CEO of The Federalist, was among many conservatives to condemn Wilson
Austin’s self-described ‘favorite injury lawyer’ echoed a criticism of the insurance industry
‘Time to cancel @Allstate,’ read a post from Sean Davis, the CEO and co-founder of The Federalist. ‘Do you really want an insurance company that talks about murder and terrorism this way?’
Podcaster Charlie Kirk received nearly 2 million views for his response to Wilson.
‘A jihadist killed and maimed dozens of innocent Americans in a hate-fueled rampage, and the CEO of Allstate thinks Americans watching the Sugar Bowl need a lecture from him on overcoming ‘an addiction to divisiveness and negativity?’ Kirk asked on X. ‘Absolutely not!!’
Austin’s self-described ‘favorite injury lawyer’ echoed a criticism of the insurance industry in his response.
‘AllState – aka AllSnake – makes billions screwing people over daily but yes, please preach about divisiveness,’ attorney Adam Loewy wrote on X.
Asked by one follower if Allstate competitor Geico is ‘better,’ Loewy responded with a simple ‘yes.’
Donovan Hinish of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish sacks Georgia QB Gunner Stockton
Many responders claimed they were ready to cancel Allstate if they hadn’t already done so
According to the FBI , Wednesday’s terror attack was carried out by 42-year-old US citizen and 13-year Army veteran Shamsud-Din Jabbar (pictured)
Allstate has since issued a statement to Fox News amid the online hostility.
‘To be clear, Allstate CEO Tom Wilson unequivocally condemns this heinous act of terrorism and violence in all forms,’ the statement began.
‘We stand with the families of the victims, their loved ones and the community of New Orleans. The reference to overcoming divisiveness and negativity reflects a broader commitment to fostering trust and positivity in communities across the nation.
Those killed on Wednesday in the French Quarter include Tiger Bech, 28, Ni’kyra Cheyenne Dedeaux, 18, Reggie Hunter, 37, Nicole Perez, 27, 25-year-old Matthew Tenedorio, Kareem Badawi, and Hubert Gauthreaux, 21.
Authorities speaking at Thursday’s press conference in New Orleans downplayed any potential links between the Bourbon Street attack and another at Donald Trump’s hotel in Las Vegas, where 37-year-old Green Beret Matthew Livelsberger detonated an explosive in a rented truck, killing himself.
Both Jabbar and Livelsberger spent time at North Carolina‘s Fort Bragg (now Fort Liberty), although it remains unclear if the two had any contact with each other prior to their respective attacks on New Year’s Day.
