A trucker who previously called for fellow truckers to boycott taking shipments into New York City has walked back his claims after going viral online. After taking to social media to support Donald Trump amid his legal issues, a trucker who goes by the name “Chicago Ray” pushed other truckers to stand beside the former president.
However, Chicago Ray is now walking back some of what he said — slightly. Though still a supporter of Trump, he has taken down his initial social media post calling for a boycott.
Chicago Ray’s Viral Post
After former President Donald Trump was charged with paying a $355 million fine by a New York City court in a fraud case, many of Trump’s ardent supporters took to social media to support him. Chicago Ray was just one — though his message ended up going viral.
Chicago Ray took to X, formerly known as Twitter, and posted, “I’m just one of the many millions of Truckers who believe in God and love this Country. I stand with Trump [because] Trump stands with me. Truckers for Trump ain’t just a slogan, it’s real.”
Truckers Saying They’ll Boycott New York City
Chicago Ray also wrote on X how he, and many other truckers, will begin to boycott New York City, thanks to this ruling. They will do this by refusing to take shipments into the city.
“I’ve been on the radio talking to drivers for about the past hour, and I’ve talked to about 10 drivers,” he wrote on X. “I don’t know how far across the country this is or how many truckers are going to start denying loads going to New York City, but I’ll tell you what — you f— around and find out.”
Trucker Deletes Boycott Video
Within less than 24 hours, Chicago Ray’s boycott video went viral. People online reshared the trucker’s video and X posts in support. Many in the media, especially the conservative media, reshared the idea of this boycott.
However, just as the video went viral within a day, so did the deletion of the video. Many Trump supporters were surprised to find that Chicago Ray had deleted the boycott video once it became viral.
Why Did Chicago Ray Delete Video?
Chicago Ray had a reason for deleting this boycott video — and he quickly took to social media to explain why. On X, he explained, “I took that video down from Friday bc it went viral, and my Grandson [saw] it on TikTok… I stand with Trump 100% Truckers for Trump.”
Though he took the X video down, Chicago Ray clarified that he still backs Trump completely. He clearly was upset with the New York City’s court ruling once it happened. His support for Trump has not waned, even if he deleted the video from X.
Chicago Ray Doesn’t Want to Lead a Movement
Quickly after posting the boycott video online, many people were inspired by Chicago Ray to also boycott New York City. In a way, he started a movement. But in his most recent postings, Chicago Ray said he doesn’t want to lead any type of movement.
“I ain’t the leader of any movement,” he posted. “I’m my own man, period… God Bless America, God Bless Trump, and God bless every Truck driver in this country.”
Trucker Encourages Other Drivers
Chicago Ray, amid distancing himself from this boycott, also encouraged other truckers to make their own opinions about Trump, New York City, and what they feel comfortable doing.
However, even though he backtracked much of what he said in his initial postings and in his boycott video, Chicago Ray remained supportive of Trump. His personal support of the former president is steadfast.
Chicago Ray Reveals Boycott Is Ongoing
Even though he attempted to walk back his calls for a boycott, Chicago Ray later posted that many truckers were continuing to boycott New York City. Many truckers in support of Trump continued to follow his initial lead.
“I’m in Wisconsin and I’m hearing guys refusing loads,” he said. “This could take longer than a week… my advice for New Yorkers is start stocking up… there’s millions of Truckers for Trump millions of us… leave Trump TF alone.”
Conservatives Support Boycotting Truckers
Many conservatives took to social media to support truckers who claimed they were boycotting New York City and refusing to take loads there. Both regular conservative X users and public figures have jumped at the chance to share their opinions on this topic.
Influential conservative figures such as Alex Jones also publicly supported this movement. “The people have the power,” Jones wrote on X. “Time to use it! Go Truckers!!”
Trump Supports Truckers
Former President Donald Trump has also publicly supported these truckers who have begun to boycott New York City. “Such an honor to have so many Great Patriots on the side of FREEDOM!” Trump wrote on Truth Social. “Joe Biden’s Unfair and Dangerous Weaponization of Law Enforcement is a serious threat to Democracy. MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN!”
Upon seeing this post, Chicago Ray posted a screenshot of it and said it was “cool” that Trump talked about him.
Other Truckers Fight Back
While Chicago Ray and Trump-supporting truckers have continued to push this boycott, other truckers have fought back. One trucker uploaded a video on TikTok and said this alleged trucker boycott is “not happening.”
According to this trucker, they haven’t heard anything about boycotting New York because of Trump. Other truckers back him in this assessment. He also said that if truckers are refusing to go to New York, it’s because of other issues, such as traffic and certain laws.
The Boycott Hasn’t Affected New York
Thus far, this boycott done by truckers hasn’t impacted New York City — though some conservative social media circles have insinuated it has.
Global supply chain data firm FreightWaves has said that many boycotts have happened, and they’ve never affected consumers. The firm’s CEO, Craig Fuller, said, “We’re not gonna see truck drivers give up the opportunity to make money simply because of some political stance.”
