MAGA ‘blacklist’ shared by leftist Facebook group shut down amid backlash

The group, Indivisible Blue Two Rivers, created the list that included businesses in Monmouth County with owners believed to be supporting “MAGA (Make America Great Again), Fox, or alt-right radio." The group encouraged its 435 members to avoid these businesses, which ranged from restaurants to liquor stores to children’s centers. They also created a separate list of "progressive" businesses to support instead.

“This was shocking when it was brought to my attention,” said local business owner Jason Baurer, according to NJ.com. Baurer is the owner of a child dance studio, Head Over Heals, in Middletown. “I don’t really engage in social media banter back and forth; it never ends well. But the position of Head Over Heels is we’re non political. We’re a children’s activity center. We’re focused on that.”

Eric Taliercio, owner of Taliercio’s Ultimate Gourmet Deli, also found himself on the list. He shared that his business had a promotion on Election Day that offered customers a reward if they voted. Later on, he received messages from friends informing him he was “blackballed.”

“To be listed in such a negative light, it was definitely disappointment,” Taliercio said, per NJ.com. “I know we’re a food place, and I know politically it doesn’t matter my opinion. I’m just selling food.”

In response to the Facebook group's action, Middletown Mayor Tony Perry condemned the list as "outrageous," defending the targeted businesses as important members of the community.

“What bothers me the most is that the political party of self proclaimed tolerance is trying to hurt our friends and neighbors who might have a difference of political views,” Perry said. ”And these businesses, they’re the individuals that sponsor our Little League teams, they volunteer as first responders, they employ our residents and they’re part of the fabric of Middletown and we appreciate everything that they do for our town.’’

The controversy led the Facebook group to delete the blacklist post, and shortly afterward, the group itself was taken down. NJ.com reported that the administrators of the group have not commented publicly on the incident.