In-N-Out donated $25,000 to the California GOP. Then #BoycottInNOut became a thing

Geraldine Estevez | Palm Springs Desert Sun

Show Caption Hide Caption Cathedral City could discuss a soda tax this year Looking to promote healthier beverages and combat concerning childhood obesity figures, Cathedral City could ask restaurants to promote milk or water with kid’s meals and might discuss a tax on sugar-sweetened drinks later this year.

In-N-Out appears to be out as a meal option for some.

The burger chain came under fire after a reporter tweeted about the fast food restaurant's $25,000 donation to the California Republican Party on Monday, as recorded on the California Secretary of State's website.

Tweeters were not happy. Shortly after the news broke, #BoycottInNOut started trending on Twitter, showcasing mixed opinions.

I’ve been eating @innoutburger since I was a kid. It’s part of the Southern California lifestyle. That all changed when they made a $25,000 donation to the GOP. I will #BoycottInNOut and no longer spend a dime in their establishments. https://t.co/3JRXqDUCY0 — The Trav (@socaltrav) August 30, 2018

Chairman of the California Democratic Party Eric Bauman chimed in, tweeting "It's time to #BoycottInNOut" in response.

Et tu In-N-Out? Tens of thousands of dollars donated to the California Republican Party... it’s time to #BoycottInNOut - let Trump and his cronies support these creeps... perhaps animal style!https://t.co/9zkdFaG5CJ — EricBauman (@EricBauman) August 30, 2018

But according to In-N-Out Burger Executive Vice President Arnie Wensinger, there's more to the story.

"In 2018, In-N-Out Burger has made equal contributions to both Democratic and Republican Political Action Committees in the State of California," Wensinger said in a statement. "For years, In-N-Out Burger has supported lawmakers who, regardless of political affiliation, promote policies that strengthen California and allow us to continue operating with the values of providing strong pay and great benefits for our Associates."

The Desert Sun checked the Secretary of State's website on Thursday and it showed that In-N-Out hadn't made any direct donations to the California Democratic Party in 2018 as it did for the California Republican Party. In April, the burger chain donated to Political Action Committees, including Californians for Jobs and a Strong Economy and the California Restaurant Association in the amounts of $50,000 and $7,500, respectively.

Read More: Cathedral City wants an In-N-Out by 2019. Will it happen in any desert cities?

Although this is the first time #BoycottInNOut trends on Twitter for In-N-Out's Republican Party donation, the food chain has donated to the political party several times. In 2016, for the amount of $30,000 and then in 2017, for $30,000.

In addition to the above statement, Wensinger said that for In-N-Out, it's far more important to support organizations that help prevent child abuse, human trafficking and substance addiction with millions of dollars.

Wensinger is aware of the "unfortunate" backlash the latest GOP donation caused, but said that "bipartisan support is a fair and consistent approach that best serves the interests of our company and all of our Customers."

Off the heels of the latest donation to the Republican party, some customers have threatened to take their business elsewhere -- did someone say Five Guys?

Five Guys it is, then. https://t.co/JuhbiphOHg — Sam Sykes (@SamSykesSwears) August 30, 2018

Meanwhile, others are keeping an open mind, saying it's okay for a business to support whichever political party they see fit.

Ok we have gone just crazy with boycotts. If a business wants to support either party why does it matter? I dont go out to eat and check what political party they are. I go because of the food or atmosphere. #BoycottInNOut is just stupid!! Its a hamburger!! — Harry (@ramincol) August 30, 2018

In-N-Out has been a staple of California since its 1948 opening in Baldwin Park.