Allstate CEO Tom Wilson’s response to a terror attack in New Orleans sparks controversy and calls for boycott.
At a Glance
- A terror attack in New Orleans on New Year’s Day resulted in over a dozen deaths and over 30 injuries
- Allstate CEO Tom Wilson faced backlash for his comments before the Sugar Bowl
- Conservative figures criticized Wilson’s message as insufficient and tone-deaf
- The suspect, Shamsud-Din Jabbar, was a US citizen and Army veteran with potential ISIS ties
- Allstate issued a clarifying statement condemning terrorism and violence
Terror Attack Shakes New Orleans
On New Year’s Day, New Orleans was rocked by a devastating terror attack that claimed the lives of more than a dozen people and left over 30 injured. The incident, which occurred just as the Allstate-sponsored Sugar Bowl was set to take place, thrust the insurance giant’s CEO, Tom Wilson, into an unexpected spotlight.
The suspect, identified as Shamsud-Din Jabbar, a US citizen and Army veteran, was killed by police during the attack. Authorities are investigating the incident as a terrorist act, with evidence of possible ties to ISIS. An ISIS flag found on Jabbar’s truck used during the attack has raised concerns about a resurgence of the terrorist organization.
Allstate CEO’s Controversial Response
As the CEO of the Sugar Bowl’s corporate sponsor, Tom Wilson addressed the tragedy before the game. His comments, however, sparked immediate backlash from conservative voices and social media users who found his message lacking and inappropriate given the circumstances.
“Welcome to the Allstate Sugar Bowl, 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,” Wilson said.
Wilson’s portion of the speech that called for unity and overcoming “an addiction to divisiveness and negativity,” drew particular criticism, with many arguing that it was tone-deaf and failed to adequately address the gravity of the terrorist attack.
Conservative Backlash and Calls for Boycott
Prominent conservative figures, including Charlie Kirk and Sean Davis of The Federalist, swiftly condemned Wilson’s remarks and urged their followers to cancel their Allstate policies. The backlash centered on the perception that Wilson had used the tragedy as an opportunity for virtue signaling rather than focusing solely on mourning the victims and acknowledging first responders.
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?”
Absolutely not!! pic.twitter.com/CuyOYoz1mg
— Charlie Kirk (@charliekirk11) January 2, 2025
The controversy quickly gained traction on social media, with many users echoing the sentiments of Kirk and Davis. Critics argued that Wilson’s comments were insensitive to the victims and their families, and failed to address the seriousness of the terrorist threat.
Time to cancel @Allstate. Do you really want an insurance company that talks about murder and terrorism this way? https://t.co/GYy1W0eahB
— Sean Davis (@seanmdav) January 2, 2025
Allstate’s Clarification and Ongoing Concerns
In response to the mounting criticism, Allstate issued a statement clarifying Wilson’s position and reiterating the company’s condemnation of terrorism. The statement emphasized that Wilson “unequivocally condemns this heinous act of terrorism and violence in all forms” and explained that his comments about overcoming divisiveness were part of a broader commitment to fostering trust and positivity in communities.
“To be clear, Allstate CEO Tom Wilson unequivocally condemns this heinous act of terrorism and violence in all forms. 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,” read the statement.
Despite the controversy around Wilson’s statement, concerns remain about the potential implications of the attack. Retired FBI agents have warned that such incidents could embolden ISIS and other terrorist groups, particularly in light of recent calls by pro-ISIS outlets for attacks in the US, Europe, and Russia. The New Orleans attack, following a terror attack in Germany, has heightened fears of a resurgence in terrorist activities.
