Conservative Political Action Coalition Chair Matt Schlapp on Thursday hit out at Target for partnering with artist Erik Carnell and accusing him of being a "satanist."
Schlapp, in an open letter to Target, claims that Carnell is "a self-declared 'satanist,'" who "openly flaunts his anti-Christian agenda posting that 'Satan respects pronouns,' selling items with phrases like, 'Trans Witches for Abortion,' and participating in a 'satanic flea market' in London called an 'anti-Christmas fayre.'"
Carnell, a British designer, created a collection for Target that included shirts, pins, and bags with pro-LGBTQ+ messages. Some contained references to Satan, such as a pin that reads, "Satan respects pronouns," which Carnell told the Daily Dot are jokes.
"I don't believe in Satan. I don't believe in the Bible … . It's a metaphor," he said.
The letter also criticizes Target for its Pride Month line of products, and for "paying to facilitate out-of-state abortions for your employees."
Schlapp concluded: "In the past, Target has relied on center-right and conservative organizations to further policies that benefited Target, its shareholders, and its customers. And when anti-capitalist politicians and activists attacked the company for its success and profitability, we stepped up to defend Target.
"However, we can no longer tolerate your leftist policy agenda — particularly when it facilitates demonic messaging and the destruction of the American family."
The New York Post reports that Target's stock has dropped about 12% since the controversy over its Pride collection began.