Toyota Chairman Akio Toyoda sparked widespread surprise on Sunday by wearing a "Make America Great Again" hat and a red T-shirt emblazoned with photos of President Donald Trump and Vice President JD Vance to the final event of Japan's ENOS Super Taikyu Series, an event that Toyota co-hosted with NASCAR.
The photo opportunity was meant to highlight Toyota's commitment to strengthening US industry and creating new opportunities for American-made vehicles in Japan. However, Toyoda's choice of attire, especially given that Trump's tariffs have already cost Toyota billions, raised eyebrows among observers, who interpreted his outfit as an attempt to curry favor with the President.
The timing of Toyoda's appearance at the event is also noteworthy, coming just days before Toyota announced a significant investment of $912 million in US manufacturing. This new investment will bring new jobs to several states that have historically supported Trump, including Tennessee, Missouri, Kentucky, and West Virginia.
Toyoda's grandchild, Kiichiro Toyoda, founded Toyota 70 years ago, and the company has since invested roughly $60 billion in the US. While most automakers have adopted a more cautious approach under the current administration due to tariffs' impact on profit margins, Toyoda seems to be taking a different stance.
In his statement regarding the event, Toyota acknowledged the photo opportunity but did not address Toyoda's choice of MAGA-themed apparel. The company has historically been pro-Trump and has donated millions to his inauguration and Republican politicians. This raises questions about whether Toyoda's actions are an attempt to stay in Trump's good graces or a genuine display of support for US industry.
Regardless, the images have served as a stark reminder of how deeply politics now intersect with global automaking, particularly for giant companies like Toyota.
The photo opportunity was meant to highlight Toyota's commitment to strengthening US industry and creating new opportunities for American-made vehicles in Japan. However, Toyoda's choice of attire, especially given that Trump's tariffs have already cost Toyota billions, raised eyebrows among observers, who interpreted his outfit as an attempt to curry favor with the President.
The timing of Toyoda's appearance at the event is also noteworthy, coming just days before Toyota announced a significant investment of $912 million in US manufacturing. This new investment will bring new jobs to several states that have historically supported Trump, including Tennessee, Missouri, Kentucky, and West Virginia.
Toyoda's grandchild, Kiichiro Toyoda, founded Toyota 70 years ago, and the company has since invested roughly $60 billion in the US. While most automakers have adopted a more cautious approach under the current administration due to tariffs' impact on profit margins, Toyoda seems to be taking a different stance.
In his statement regarding the event, Toyota acknowledged the photo opportunity but did not address Toyoda's choice of MAGA-themed apparel. The company has historically been pro-Trump and has donated millions to his inauguration and Republican politicians. This raises questions about whether Toyoda's actions are an attempt to stay in Trump's good graces or a genuine display of support for US industry.
Regardless, the images have served as a stark reminder of how deeply politics now intersect with global automaking, particularly for giant companies like Toyota.
Ugh, this is just weird 
. So Toyoda, he's basically rubbing it in our faces that he's team Trump and all 
. I mean, come on, a "Make America Great Again" hat? Can't he see how tacky that is? 
And what's with the red T-shirt? Trying to be some kind of mascot for Trump's base or something? 
. But honestly, Toyota has been pro-Trump for ages, so what's new? 
The only thing that's surprising is how little attention this gets 
. And now we're seeing the intersection of global automaking and politics, which is just a mess 
.
. Plus, it's not like he's trying to curry favor with Trump or anything (although, I guess you could say that too 
.
. It feels like he's tryin' too hard to be buddies with Trump or maybe even curry favor 
. And what's up with the timing? New investment, new jobs... does that just happen to coincide with Toyoda showin' off his MAGA swag? 
i mean on one hand its supposed to be a big deal about him supporting us industry and creating jobs but at the same time its kinda weird considering trump's tariffs have already hurt toyota so much 
anyway, i'm all for american-made vehicles, but this whole thing is giving me some major mixed signals 
I'm not trying to be a hater, but it feels like Toyota's trying to walk a fine line here... 
i mean we know Toyota loves Trump but this looks more like a desperate attempt to get on the right side of the President 
. And let's not forget the timing – what a convenient coincidence that Toyota announces a major investment in US manufacturing just days before the event. It's like Toyoda is trying to buy his way into good graces, and I'm not buying it 
.
, I mean... what's not to love? He's wearing that MAGA hat and Trump merch on the big stage – it's like he's trying to show America who's boss 
. And let's be real, $912 million is a LOT of dough 
The more I think about it, the more confused I get 
? either way, gotta wonder if akio toyoda's trying to sweet-talk his way into staying in trumps good books after all that tariffs drama