Ford Executive Blasted After Mocking Disabled Man Over Fox News, Mislabels Federal Disability Law as “DEI”
Barrett Evans, Chief Learning Officer at Ford Motor Company, is facing backlash for a now-deleted Threads post in which he bragged about shaming a disabled man for watching Fox News during a flight—mistakenly claiming that wheelchair assistance was a “DEI benefit” rather than a federally mandated accessibility service.
The Post That Sparked Outrage
In his post, Evans recounted watching an elderly couple on a flight from San Diego to their gate in airport wheelchairs. Upon landing, Evans mocked the man, saying, “Love to see you supporting DEI,” as a jab for watching Fox News.
When the man responded, “Not me,” Evans claimed he “educated” the couple that wheelchair services were a subsidized benefit to promote equity — therefore, “DEI in action.”
He wrote:
“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.”
Fact Check: Wrong on the Law, Wrong on the Intent
Evans’ assertion wildly misconstrues the origin of such services. Wheelchair access in airports is not part of any DEI (Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion) initiative. It is a legal requirement under the Air Carrier Access Act (ACAA) of 1986, which mandates that airlines cannot discriminate against passengers with disabilities and must provide accommodations such as wheelchairs.
Additionally, the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), signed into law in 1990, enforces physical accessibility standards across public infrastructure — including airports. Both are federal civil rights laws, not voluntary DEI programs.
Disability Advocates Speak Out
Disability rights advocates were quick to respond, slamming Evans for weaponizing disability access to make a political point. “Accessibility for disabled Americans is not ‘equity in action,’ it is the law,” said one disability attorney. “To frame this as a favor from woke corporations shows either ignorance or contempt.”
Others noted that DEI programs focus on hiring, promotion, and workplace inclusion policies, and while they can include disability awareness, they do not override or replace federal legal obligations like the ADA or ACAA.
Public Backlash and Calls for Accountability
The post ignited a firestorm on social media, with critics calling Evans’ comments ableist, condescending, and politically weaponized. Conservative and centrist commentators pointed to the incident as an example of “woke elitism” alienating ordinary Americans, especially those with disabilities.
Evans has yet to issue a public apology or clarification, and Ford Motor Company has not commented on the controversy. Some social media users are now calling for Ford to disavow the remarks or take disciplinary action.
Final Word
Mocking disabled Americans—especially under the false pretense of virtue-signaling—is not the equity the public asked for. Weaponizing inclusion to settle political scores only undermines genuine support for those who need it.
As critics have said, this wasn’t DEI at work. It was D-I-S-R-E-S-P-E-C-T.
