Alignment: Sued the Trump administration in 2017 over the reduction of Bears Ears National Monument; publicly endorsed Democratic candidates Jon Tester and Jacky Rosen in 2018, marking the first time the company endorsed in federal races; founder Yvon Chouinard transferred company ownership to an environmental purpose trust in 2022.
Summary
Patagonia is among the most overtly political consumer brands in America. The company sued the Trump administration in 2017 after the president ordered reductions to the Bears Ears and Grand Staircase-Escalante national monuments. In 2018, Patagonia broke from its decades-long practice and publicly endorsed Democratic U.S. Senate candidates Jon Tester (Montana) and Jacky Rosen (Nevada). In 2022, founder Yvon Chouinard transferred the entire company’s ownership to a purpose trust dedicated to fighting climate change.
Claims & Sources
Claim 1: Patagonia publicly endorsed Democrats Tester and Rosen for Senate in 2018.
Source: Associated Press — Patagonia endorses Democrats Tester, Rosen in Senate races.
Claim 2: Founder Yvon Chouinard transferred Patagonia’s ownership to a climate-focused trust.
Sources: Reuters — Patagonia founder gives away company to help fight climate crisis; Associated Press — Patagonia founder gives company away to environmental cause.