In an unexpected twist, businesses across the United States with “ABC” in their name have been forced to distance themselves from ABC News, the television network that hosted the heated 2024 presidential debate between Donald Trump and Kamala Harris. Confusion stemming from the event has left ABC-branded stores fielding complaints from frustrated customers, forcing them to issue disclaimers clarifying they have no connection to the network.
The controversy began after the 2024 debate aired on ABC News, with moderators facing accusations of bias from both political camps. Trump supporters criticized the network’s real-time fact-checking, while Harris supporters claimed the moderators didn’t push back hard enough. Social media soon erupted with criticism aimed at ABC News, but things quickly took a bizarre turn when unrelated businesses—such as ABC Fine Wine & Spirits and ABC Warehouse—started receiving complaints from angry customers.
Greg Nelson, a manager at ABC Fine Wine & Spirits in Tampa, shared the strange aftermath: “Our phones were ringing off the hook, but not with questions about tequila or whiskey. People kept asking why we ruined the debate. I had to explain repeatedly: ‘We just sell liquor. We don’t do politics.’”
To combat the confusion, ABC Fine Wine & Spirits launched a campaign across all their locations, featuring prominent signage that read: “We Are Not Affiliated with ABC News—We Just Sell Liquor.” Nelson added, “People thought we had some kind of political agenda. No, we’re just pushing vodka, not narratives.”
ABC Warehouse, a Midwest-based appliance and electronics retailer, faced a similar issue. Cynthia Harper, a regional manager, revealed that the company received negative reviews on Yelp accusing them of bias. “We sell refrigerators and washing machines—not political opinions,” Harper explained. To dispel the confusion, ABC Warehouse posted signs saying, “Selling Appliances, Not Political Opinions Since 1963.”
Much of the confusion can be traced back to viral tweets and memes that incorrectly linked ABC-branded businesses with the news network. One viral tweet claimed, “Corporate media and big liquor are in it together!”—causing further outrage and calls for boycotts. Another social media post, featuring a photo of an ABC Warehouse store, was misinterpreted as the network’s headquarters, exacerbating the situation.
ABC Supply Co., a roofing material distributor, joined the effort to clarify its role by adding a disclaimer to its website: “We provide durable roofing solutions, not debate moderation.” Even smaller businesses weren’t spared. ABC Pet Store in New Jersey posted a sign reading: “We don’t do politics—just pet food.”
Gloria Ramirez, the pet store’s owner, expressed her frustration: “I had to explain to multiple people that I don’t even watch the debates—I just sell dog food!”
While businesses scrambled to address the fallout, ABC News faced criticism from both political sides. In response, the network issued a statement: “We are not affiliated with any business using ‘ABC’ in their name, including liquor stores, appliance retailers, or pet stores. Please direct non-political inquiries to those companies.”
Despite the clarification, the backlash persisted, with both sides of the political spectrum using the incident as ammunition in the ongoing debate over the role of mainstream media in public discourse.
Some ABC-branded companies have turned the unexpected controversy into marketing opportunities. ABC Fine Wine & Spirits launched a tongue-in-cheek campaign with the tagline: “Debate Over? Let’s Drink.” They offered customers discounts on politically-themed cocktails to lighten the mood.
Meanwhile, ABC Warehouse rolled out a “We’re Not the News, Just the Deals” sale, encouraging customers to upgrade their televisions and watch the next debate on a new screen—without the confusion.
This bizarre branding fiasco underscores the speed at which misinformation spreads on social media. In today’s fast-paced digital world, even something as innocent as an acronym can become a target for misplaced outrage.
For now, businesses with “ABC” in their names are left hoping the confusion will subside soon. As Greg Nelson of ABC Fine Wine & Spirits put it, “Hopefully, people will realize we’re just here for the booze—nothing more, nothing less.”
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