Target performs overnight U-turn and decides it will sell Mark Levin’s new book

Target has made a stunning reversal after Fox News host Mark Levin called out the retail giant for not carrying his new book ‘The Democratic Party Hates America’ because it ‘may offend certain customers.’

Levin blasted the retail giant on Wednesday saying: ‘Target has informed my publisher, Simon & Schuster, that it will not carry my new book when it is released on September 19.

‘It claims that certain customers might be offended by the title. Imagine that! So, the corporatist leftwing censorship begins. I will discuss this in more detail on this evening’s radio show.’

The post was a linchpin for Levin’s fans to start floating the idea of a boycott – another potentially damaging decision for the retailer after they lost billions after their controversial decision around their LGBTQ products.

Target has made a stunning reversal after conservative radio icon Mark Levin called out the retail giant for not carrying his new book ‘The Democratic Party Hates America’ because it ‘may offend certain customers’

Mark Levin blasted the retail giant on Wednesday saying: ‘Target has informed my publisher, Simon & Schuster, that it will not carry my new book when it is released on September 19’

Within 24 hours however, Levin’s book was destined for shelves in what appeared to be an overnight U-turn by the retailer. 

‘We’ve been offering this book for pre-sale since mid-June,’ a Target spokesperson said to Fox News. 

‘As we have with Mark Levin’s past books, many of which are currently available for sale at Target, we’ll offer his newest title for sale when it is available on September 19.

The spokesperson said that the company had initially taken issue with the book’s title in which it uses the term ‘hate.’

‘The use of the word ‘hate’ in the title caused our team to reach out to the publisher, but as stated, we are continuing to offer this book for pre-sale now, and it will be available for sale on its release date,’ they added. 

‘We regret any confusion this situation caused.’

Levin said the decision was ‘wonderful’ not just for conservative authors but ‘for the country.’

‘The thing about free speech and market capitalism is that they are fantastic and crucial variables to a free society,’ Levin told the outlet. 

‘All I do is go on radio last night as well as post on my social sites and explain exactly what took place – that is Target was not going to place any of my new books in their retail stores.’

Levin claims he wasn’t posting to spur a boycott or prompting his fans to protest but believes he has a right to freedom of speech.

‘I wasn’t leading a boycott, I wasn’t telling people to protest, It’s just that the market system allows Target and any other company or business to do its wishes – but it also allows us to do as we wish,’ Levin said.

‘Corporations need to know that while they’re free to do these things – and I won’t be the last one to say that they’re not – we, the people, are free to respond. 

‘There’s no need to even organize a boycott, the market system speaks for itself, which is one of the reasons the left and the Democrats hate it. 

Levin said that those from the left ‘would’ve loved this book to be banned for its title.’

‘They would love this book to be censored by corporations for its title, they haven’t even read it! And trust me, they’re going to hate it more after they read it,’ he said.

An online synopsis of the book teases that it will reveal ‘the radically dangerous Democrat agenda that is upending American life.’

‘I would encourage Target and corporations like it to embrace free speech and to embrace market capitalism. It’s a wonderful thing,’ Levin added.

Target has lost billions of dollars in market capitalization in the span of a few days as it continues to face backlash for a Pride-themed clothing line 

Target sold ‘tuck-friendly’ women’s bathing suits, and a tweet inaccurately claimed it was also selling such bathing suits to children

DailyMail.com has contacted Target for comment but did not immediately hear back.

In a tweet following the reversal Levin posted that Target had ‘reversed course’ thanking his followers for their support.

‘Target just informed my publisher that it has reversed course and will be taking my new book in its stores upon its release,’ he wrote.

‘You folks are an immense force for free speech and market capitalism, and conservative authors and audiences everywhere will benefit from your patriotism. 

‘I could not be more proud of you — not only for how this specific case turned out, as there will undoubtedly be more of this — but because you’ve made it clear that you’ve had enough and will exercise your enormous power. 

‘The silent majority is silent no longer. I’ll more fully discuss this on radio. God bless and I thank and salute you all.’

Last month Target was at the center of a media firestorm after 200 LGBTQ groups demanded the retailer restock its controversial Pride merchandise.

The Human Rights Campaign, along with GLAAD and the controversial GLSEN released a statement, asking the retail giant and other businesses, including Bud Light brewer Anheuser-Bush, to ‘reject and speak out against anti-LGBTQ+ extremism going into Pride Month.’

Following backlash, Target’s CEO announced that it was removing some of the more controversial items from the shelves. A Pride adult bikini is seen here, still available on its website

Over 200 other progressive organizations also signed the statement, arguing that showing support for the community is good for business. It is not clear what action the coalition will take if Target fails to back the LGBTQ+ community within 24 hours.

Target has lost $14 billion in market value since it was revealed that the chain was selling ‘tuck-friendly’ women’s bathing suits joining the ranks of Anheuser-Busch  who lost more than $15 billion after their partnership with TikToker Dylan Mulvaney in early April.

As conservatives and moderates started to boycott Target in May, several stores in the South decided to move their Pride displays to smaller areas in the back.

CEO Brian Cornell also released a statement saying that the company had pulled several items that have ‘been at the center of the most confrontational behavior.’

‘Since introducing this year’s collection, we’ve experienced threats impacting our team members’ sense of safety and wellbeing while at work,’ the firm said in its statement.

The pro-LGBTQ+ organizations branded those that are speaking out against the Pride display ‘extremists’ 

Since partnering with Mulvaney, Bud Light’s parent company Anheuser-Busch has faced boycotts and declining sales

‘Given these volatile circumstances, we are making adjustments to our plans, including removing items that have been at the center of the most significant confrontational behavior.’

But the decision spurred further backlash, this time by LGBTQ+ advocates.

Target earlier faced similar backlash from Erik Carnell, a transgender man and Satanist, who designed much of the merchandise for the chain’s Pride Month line.

The British designer, whose slogans include ‘Satan loves pronouns,’ said none of the clothes he designed for Target were ‘Satanic.’

He also argued that companies like Target that launch products and campaigns for Pride Month seek to profit from LGBTQ people but fail to stand by them when challenges arise

‘It’s a very dangerous precedent to set, that if people just get riled up enough about the products that you’re selling, you can completely distance yourself from the LGBT community, when and if it’s convenient,’ said Carnell.

‘If you’re going to take a stance and say that you care about the LGBT community, you need to stand by that regardless.’

Erik Carnell (pictured) is a transgender designer and artist whose products were pulled by U.S. retailer Target from its Pride Collection amid backlash from some customers

He denied that any of the clothes he designed for Target were ‘Satanic.’ Some Pride Month clothes for children are seen at a store in Austin, Texas

Target had been vocal about its support for LGBTQ groups in the past, creating Pride Month displays for years.

It also donated over $2.1 million to the pro-gay organization GLSEN, whose policies include ensuring school staff should ‘ensure that all personally identifiable and medical information relating to transgender and nonbinary students is kept confidential’.

The retail chain says on its website that the organization ‘leads the movement in creating affirming, accessible and anti-racist spaces for LGBTQIA+ students.

‘We are proud of 10+ years of collaboration with GLSEN and continue to support their mission.’

But the company did not mention that its vice president for brand management, Carlos Saavedra, 43, also volunteers as a director for the organization.

He joined target in July 2019 and was made Vice President, Brand Management in January 2021, according to his LinkedIn page.

His profile says he joined GLSEN as a board member in May 2019 and was elected to the executive committee as treasurer in November 2021.

Saavedra’s profile explains the organization’s mission is ‘helping create safe spaces in schools for LGBTQIA+ students’.

Carlos Saavedra, 43, is Target’s vice president for brand management and also volunteers as a director at GLSEN, which supports LGBTQ youth in schools

Police officers stood outside a Target store in Miami as people protested across the street

But as news of Target’s ‘tuck-friendly’ bikinis spread on social media value has plummeted by $14 billion.

And despite efforts by the brand to backpedal on its disastrous campaign, continuous stock falls led JPMorgan to downgrade its stock from ‘neutral’ to ‘overweight,’ citing ‘too many concerns rising’ at the time.

‘We continue to believe that the consumer is broadly weakening while the share of wallet shift away from goods (51% of [Target’s] sales) is ongoing,’ wrote JPMorgan analyst Christopher Horvers, according to MarketWatch. 

Horvers also cited ‘recent company controversies’ as the reason Target has suffered devastating financial losses, which came after ‘an impressive run of 12 consecutive positive quarters.’ 

Now, ex-presidential advisor Miller’s America First Legal is formally demanding Target be transparent about its ‘radical LGBT political agenda.’

It is asking the company to turn over all corporate books and records detailing its promotion of LGBTQ products and its decline in market value. 

‘For Target to voluntarily and aggressively associate itself with this movement is an act of sabotage against Target shareholders and a destroyer of value — including for countless Americans for whom shares of Target are part of the pension funds, mutual funds and retirement accounts on which they depend,’ Miller said in a statement.

‘America First Legal is proud to represent American shareholders financially harmed by Target’s descent into gender extremism and child exploitation,’ he added.