A photo of Krystal Lake that quickly went viral. (via Twitter)

Krystal Lake was tired of the slogan “Make America Great Again,” so the 22-year-old Bernie Sanders supporter decided to make her own merchandise parodying the phrase popularized by presumptive GOP presidential candidate Donald Trump.

“She said that Mr. Trump’s slogan did not make room for bigger aspirations beyond the past and that he was dismissive of groups that did not fit his ideal demographic,” The New York Times reports.

She used an online design site to customize a hat with the slogan, “America Was Never Great,” and she wore it to her job at Home Depot the day after it arrived.

For a few days, nothing out of the ordinary occurred. But then the social media bullying began. Lake, says the Times, “was bombarded with negative comments, including death threats, on social media.” It continues:

“They were actually threatening to kill me over a hat,” she said on Thursday. “I couldn’t believe it. I was calling my best friend and I was like, ‘How is this happening? It’s just a hat.’ ”

Ms. Lake said she did not take the threats seriously, attributing them to Internet trolls.

“I think I’m hitting them with their own medicine,” she said of Trump supporters. “My whole thing was, I like being different.”

Lake adds that angry people began calling Home Depot as well. Although the company has not yet dismissed her, Lake says she expects to be fired. A spokesperson from the company tweeted that the hat was not “appropriate.”

As for the hats? Although Lake “had ordered only one,” said the Times, she “planned to buy many more.”

BODY {border-color:rgb(0,0,0);color:rgb(0,0,0)} #main {background:transparent;}#qp_main696190 .qp_btna:hover input {border-color:rgb(0,0,0)!important;color:rgb(0,0,0)!important;background:rgb(184,171,170)!important} #qp_main696190[results=’0′] .qp_a:hover {border-color:rgb(0,0,0);color:rgb(0,0,0)!important} #qp_main696190[results=’0′] .qp_a[sel=’1′] {border-color:rgb(0,0,0);color:rgb(0,0,0)!important}#qp_all696190 {max-width:792px; margin:0 auto;}
Would you wear an “America Was Never Great” hat?
Yes
No

myiq

—Posted by Emma Niles

 Dig, Root, Grow

This year, we’re all on shaky ground, and the need for independent journalism has never been greater. A new administration is openly attacking free press — and the stakes couldn’t be higher.

Your support is more than a donation. It helps us dig deeper into hidden truths, root out corruption and misinformation, and grow an informed, resilient community.

Independent journalism like Truthdig doesn't just report the news — it helps cultivate a better future.

Your tax-deductible gift powers fearless reporting and uncompromising analysis. Together, we can protect democracy and expose the stories that must be told.

This spring, stand with our journalists.

Dig. Root. Grow. Cultivate a better future.

Donate today.

SUPPORT TRUTHDIG
In this Article:
#2016 election#bernie sanders#donald trump#free speech#home depot#make america great again#politics#usa