DeRay Mckessen, a high profile activist of Black Lives Matter, is apparently also an outspoken corporate shill. With almost 700,000 Twitter follower, he is the perfect candidate for brands who want to use social media influencers to hock their products. Too bad no one pays him for it.
Today DeRay wrote a tweet with all the trappings of an advertisement for Verizon’s new unlimited data plan.
I just changed my @Verizon plan to the newly released Unlimited Plan. It's a game-changer. #VZunlimited
— deray mckesson (@deray) February 13, 2017
Many responded calling him a sellout. DeRay denied the allegations that he was paid to write the tweet.
huh? I'm literally pumped that my cell phone bill is now cut in half AND I have unlimited data. No sponsorship, just excited. Chill. https://t.co/36q6ZrJasD
— deray mckesson (@deray) February 13, 2017
But the craziest part about this story is that DeRay, whose day job is working for the Baltimore City Public Schools, appears to be telling the truth. According to a spokesperson for Verizon, he was not sponsored to write that tweet. He literally wrote a hokey advertisement on his own volition. And he keeps doubling down, espousing the merits of the unlimited data plan.
All I know is that I no longer have a wildly expensive 60 GB Verizon plan b/c of the new unlimited plan. I'm un-sponsored but thankful. https://t.co/gCtIG2GKJI
— deray mckesson (@deray) February 13, 2017
This isn’t even the first time DeRay shilled corporate products without getting paid. He routinely tweets out McDonald’s updates (and according to a McDonald’s spokesperson he does not have a sponsorship deal).
McDonald's Is Actually Testing Online Reservations http://t.co/c96xv2ez23
— deray mckesson (@deray) September 16, 2015
McDonald's all-day breakfast is coming, beginning Oct. 6th http://t.co/MrWtpuqhon
— deray mckesson (@deray) September 1, 2015
Openly gay DeRay also really wants you to buy Doritos® (who also don’t pay him).
Rainbow Doritos are a tasty way to support LGBT causes http://t.co/Peei1WbSpU
— deray mckesson (@deray) September 17, 2015
He even wrote seven Tweets hyping Spotify’s “Discover Weekly” playlist. A Spotify spokesperson confirmed they’ve never paid DeRay a dime.
ACtivism pic.twitter.com/FT6ymjCOnV
— Alex Nichols (@Lowenaffchen) September 28, 2015
And he wants everyone to know he loves using Dove brand toiletries for his ablutions.
The new Dove men's deodorant is the best I've ever used. Hands down.
— deray mckesson (@deray) May 4, 2012
DeRay claims he’s not sponsored by any of these companies.
I'm not being paid to tweet, am not sponsored by Spotify or Doritos or Dove soap, am not in the illuminati. FYI. https://t.co/mHUQv8pjKl
— deray mckesson (@deray) September 20, 2016
He is clearly an anomaly among social justice activists, one who does not only support capitalism, but loves it so wholeheartedly he’s willing to sell out for corporations without getting paid.
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