Goya CEO claims economic shutdowns were politically motivated: the left ‘weaponized the virus’

The President and CEO of Goya Foods on Friday said that locking down the U.S. economy was the worst possible response to the coronavirus pandemic, in an interview with “Fox & Friends,” accusing those on the political left of “weaponizing” the virus to “shut down the economy.”

“You were called to the White House to talk about the coronavirus and the response—and you went—and then people on the political left tried to cancel you with essentially a boycott. But then it turned around, people were supporting you with a ‘buycott’ and I understand Goya Foods has just finished your biggest, most successful year ever,” host Steve Doocy said to CEO Robert Unanue, a vocal supporter of President Donald Trump.

“Yes,” Unanue replied. “You know, the problem is it’s a political year and they weaponized coronavirus unfortunately to shut down this economy.”

Throughout the pandemic, Unanue has been very public about his views on economic restrictions put in place by governors and local authorities to help stymie the spread of COVID-19.

“The worst thing we can do is shut down our economy, kill our spirit,” Unanue continued. “You know, we need a reason to get up in the morning: God, family, work. And they’re taking away our spirit. They’re taking away our ability to work. They essentially declared martial law, I believe, in this country, shutting everything down. It’s the worst thing we could have done, just for political gain. I think it’s criminal. I think it’s immoral. To shut down this economy for this basically political reasons and, you know, we’re one nation under God. We’re not one nation under Twitter. We’re not one nation under big media, or under central government.”

Unanue’s latest comments come the morning after President-elect Joe Biden unveiled his $1.9 trillion COVID-19 economic relief plan that he calls the “American Rescue Plan.” The plan seeks to speed up the United States’ vaccination effort, improve COVID-19 testing capacity to assist businesses and schools in reopening, and send $1,400 stimulus checks to Americans and federal dollars to state and local governments so they aren’t forced to fire police officers, firefighters, and other first responders, along with teachers and health workers.

You can follow Douglas Braff on Twitter @Douglas_P_Braff.