Staff Reports
Conservative activist Robby Starbuck has lit the match again. This week he renewed his public boycott call against Harley‑Davidson, arguing the motorcycle maker “backslid” on its promise to scale back diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) programs. His target: two 2025 executive hires he says prove the company never truly changed course.
Starbuck’s new attack centers on the 2025 hires
On June 3, 2026, Robby Starbuck posted renewed allegations that Harley‑Davidson is “hopelessly woke” and urged riders to walk away. His criticism focuses on Harley’s 2025 appointments of Artie Starrs as President and CEO (effective October 1, 2025) and Marcus Fischer as Chief Brand Officer (effective December 8, 2025). Starbuck points to Starrs’ stints at Topgolf and Pizza Hut and Fischer’s leadership at an advertising agency and says both men carried DEI and LGBTQ programs into Harley’s executive ranks.
What are the facts — and what Harley has said
The company’s investor releases confirm both hires and quote Starrs praising Harley’s potential to “drive growth and further enhance the H‑D experience for all.” A December 2025 statement framed the leadership changes as part of a push to “reimagine our future” and refocus the brand. Those press releases emphasize commercial strategy, dealer relations and brand unity—not a social agenda. As of this week there has been no new public rebuttal from Harley addressing Starbuck’s latest post.
Why this matters to riders and buyers
The uproar is rooted in an earlier fight. In 2024 and into 2025, Harley faced a conservative backlash after internal DEI materials surfaced and the company promised to scale back certain programs. Starbuck and others took credit for pressuring Harley to change course then. Now his critics say the new hires are proof the rollback was cosmetic. For Harley’s core customers—who bought the brand as a symbol of freedom and straightforward American grit—this isn’t just corporate politics. It’s a question of trust and brand identity.
Bottom line: clarity or consequences
Harley‑Davidson owes its riders a plain answer. If the company’s strategy is about sales and brand revival, say so clearly and stick to it. If social programming is part of the plan, don’t be surprised when customers protest. Either way, executives should stop hiding behind corporate-speak and give riders the straight talk they deserve. The next move — a clear statement from Harley or louder calls to boycott — will tell us which path the company really chose.
