Discrepancy in Manufacturing Claims of Barrett Campaign Merchandise
In a recent development, Republican Representative Tom Barrett, representing Michigan’s 7th District, has been found selling campaign t-shirts sourced from Haiti, contrary to claims made on his online store that they were manufactured in the United States.
This revelation holds particular significance as Barrett has placed emphasis on enhancing domestic employment and manufacturing as a key part of his reelection campaign. During a visit to a machine plant in Lansing in April, Barrett expressed the need for more domestic production, stating to WLIX that, “We really want to onshore more of our own manufacturing.” He credited the policies of President Donald Trump for facilitating this goal, despite reports indicating a rise in offshored jobs last year.
The t-shirts in question, branded with “Barrett Brigade” alongside a helicopter silhouette — a nod to Barrett’s history as a Black Hawk pilot — were promoted as “100% cotton” and “Made in USA.” However, photographs taken in August 2024 reveal tags on the shirts reading “made in Haiti,” with production attributed to Gildan, a Canadian company known for offshoring its manufacturing operations.
There remains no confirmation regarding whether other merchandise from Barrett’s campaign is also produced overseas. Gildan has been criticized in the past for its labor practices. In 2023, the company dismissed 64 workers from its Port-au-Prince factory for striking over unpaid overtime. Furthermore, a 2010 report by the Toronto Star highlighted that Gildan’s workers in Haiti struggled with extremely low wages, insufficient for basic expenses like food.
Barrett is seeking reelection for a second term, with his Democratic competitor set to emerge from an August 4 primary. Among the Democrats challenging Barrett, three have secured endorsements from labor unions. At present, Barrett’s campaign lacks any labor endorsements.
