A senior executive at Ford Motor Company is facing widespread criticism after sharing a controversial social media post in which he detailed a personal confrontation with an elderly airline passenger over the man’s apparent choice to watch Fox News during a flight.
Barrett Evans, who identifies as Ford’s “Chief Learning Officer,” described the encounter in a now-restricted post on Meta’s Threads platform.
The post has since been removed or made inaccessible, but screenshots circulated widely on X show Evans recounting an interaction that took place after a flight from San Diego.
Trump's Sovereign Wealth Fund: What Could It Mean For Your Money?
According to Evans, the confrontation occurred after the flight landed, when he noticed the passenger and his wife being assisted in wheelchairs to their next gate.
In his post, Evans admitted that he had been bothered by the man watching Fox News during the entire flight.
Upon seeing the couple using airport-provided wheelchair services, Evans claimed he approached them and said, “Love to see you supporting DEI.”
When the man replied, “Not me,” Evans allegedly responded, “Yes — you. That wheelchair, and the human pushing it, are provided at no direct cost to you — rather by a subsidized cost attributed to every passenger in this airport. Provided to level the playing field — for you.”
This Could Be the Most Important Video Gun Owners Watch All Year
Evans further elaborated in a follow-up post that the wheelchair assistance program at airports is an example of “equity in action” and part of a “real-world infrastructure of equity.”
He defended his remarks by suggesting the elderly couple, despite possibly opposing diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) policies, were unknowingly benefiting from them.
A woke @Ford executive posted a ‘not so chivalrous’ rant on Threads, detailing how he confronted an elderly plane passenger in a wheelchair, for watching Fox News on a flight. He mocked the man for ‘supporting DEI’.
Barrett Evans, who works as the motor company’s ‘Chief Learning… pic.twitter.com/Wt3dCPB9pp— Marla Hohner (@marlahohner) April 14, 2025
Critics were quick to react on social media, accusing Evans of harassing senior citizens and politicizing a federally mandated airport accessibility service.
It is The Air Carrier Access Act of 1986 (ACAA) that made wheelchair assistance the rule, NOT the #DEIScam. “Equity” is NOT “Equality”.
As a @Ford exec, @chivalryandchampagne, you should probably just admit you got off on berating an elderly passenger for your own jollies. https://t.co/YCrkTcTf5e
— #Tarot Kat #USA (@TarotKat) April 14, 2025
Some users called the encounter a fabricated example of performative activism.
Others questioned the appropriateness of a high-ranking corporate executive publicly confronting travelers based on their media preferences or disability status.
I don’t know what a “Chief Learning Officer” is and neither do you, so I looked it up. So far as I can tell, they design cultural sensitivity seminars that waste everyone’s time. In other words, this fruit has a makework DEI job that only exists to make him employable. https://t.co/uLYYiraB5l pic.twitter.com/JhJoiehvKF
— Matt Forney (@realmattforney) April 14, 2025
As screenshots of the posts spread, users began tagging Ford’s official social media accounts and demanding a response from the company.
As of this writing, Ford has not issued a public statement addressing the situation.
In the aftermath, Evans appears to have locked down or removed his social media profiles, including Threads, Instagram, and LinkedIn.
His online presence is currently limited, and no further posts have been issued in response to the backlash.
While the authenticity of the interaction cannot be independently verified, the fallout has already sparked a reputational issue for Ford.
The incident comes amid heightened scrutiny of corporate executives who make politically charged statements in public forums and as brands continue to navigate a polarized consumer base following high-profile controversies in the past year.
The Federal Aviation Administration mandates that U.S. airports provide accessibility services, including wheelchair assistance, to passengers with mobility challenges.
These services are funded by general airport and airline operating budgets and are not optional for qualifying travelers.
Whether Ford will respond or take action remains to be seen.
For now, the focus remains on how Evans’ remarks will impact his role at the company and whether his public comments will lead to corporate consequences.
Connect with Vetted Off-Duty Cops to Instantly Fulfill Your Security Needs
Join the Discussion
COMMENTS POLICY: We have no tolerance for messages of violence, racism, vulgarity, obscenity or other such discourteous behavior. Thank you for contributing to a respectful and useful online dialogue.
The Ford company would be a great disappointment to Henry Ford at this juncture. This is an example of a business gone stupid, and as a lifelong Ford owner I am sadly disappointed in this article and in the Ford Motor Company as a whole. Businesses that want to keep their business should mind their business, not the political bent of elder citizens and certainly not when they are in such error as to think that the know something that they clearly do not! This guy is a holier than thou jerk and he should be disenfranchised of his “bully pulpit”, as least as far as the company is concerned, while being free to be an idiot in any other venue he wishes. It is hard to see idiotic behavior on the part of those that ostensibly have positions of some sort of influence or authority when they are a dumb as a box of rocks!
Totally agree, this woke DEI crap has got to go. Same for the idiots supporting and promoting it. Bunch of brain washed idiots. I used to like Fords but not with imbeciles like him working there. If he wants a bunch of unqualified people working there then he is the one that needs to drop and kiss their ass, not me.
It would be nice if only Ford distanced their corporate image from the views of their idiot dei “person”!
I think we all know this is not going to happen – so – the response must come from the vehicle-owning public. I happily predict my next new car will NOT be a “Ford” or of any other DEI-supporting imbeciles.
I prefer that MY safety and comfort remains a high priority for the manufacturer of MY vehicles – and is not subject to lefty-nonsense-spouting immature wannabe-managers.
Thinks – Subaru have some really nice vehicles – Hmmmm !