David Leavitt, a self-described “award-winning multimedia journalist with bylines at CBS, Axios, Yahoo News, Examiner, etc.,” called the police on a Target manager because she refused to sell him a mismarked Oral-B electric toothbrush for one cent. Through a series of tweets, complete with a photo of the young woman, Leavitt reported the entire episode as it unfolded on Friday afternoon.

He begins by telling his followers, “This @target manager Tori is not honoring the price of their items per massachusetts law. I just had to call the police because @target Refused to sell me the toothbrush.”

I just had to call the police because @target Refused to sell me the toothbrush — David Leavitt (@David_Leavitt) January 17, 2020

Next, Leavitt tells them that he knew better than to call 911. “I called the business number for the police and told them it was not an emergency and they could take their time and explained the situation.”

Then he tweets, “The police verified @target displayed the price of toothbrush for $0.01 The store manager Tori refused to sell me the toothbrush for displayed price. The police said I need to sue them and that they are making me a verified report take to court @BBBConnection @AskTarget.”

Leavitt wants to be clear: “Corporations like @target are not above the law. The police officer told me they’d testify that they saw the price and that the manager wouldn’t sell me the item for the price listed…I have not been able to afford to go to a dentist in over three years. So yes I wanted a good toothbrush and was thrilled to see such an amazing prize on an @OralB but @target refused to honor it and now I have to take them to court.”

No I can’t believe I had to actually call the police because the manager wouldn’t honor the price. I’m shaking still. The police officer verified the price tag and told me I could take them to court and that she’d be a witness — David Leavitt (@David_Leavitt) January 17, 2020

First, one twitter user points out the “display” itself, which contained the products, that was marked $0.01, not the toothbrushes placed on it. The folks at the courthouse will probably be quick to point that out.

There is no way the police verified that. Here. Let me show you a key word on that product tag. You do not have a display in your hand, bro. pic.twitter.com/VqAYLaEhh8 — Julie Niesen (@winemedineme) January 17, 2020

Second, if Leavitt hasn’t been able to afford to go to the dentist for over three years, how can he afford to take this young woman to court? Additionally, an award-winning journalist can’t afford to go to visit a dentist for over three years?

Look what Twitchy was able to find on Leavitt’s Twitter feed! I know, priorities, right Dave?

Third, take down this young woman’s picture from your Twitter page. She doesn’t deserve this harassment.

Fourth, in the tweet below, when the incident was over, he writes, “I’m shaking still.” Yeah, that was a pretty scary encounter there Dave. Say that again to an Iraq or Afghanistan veteran pal.

No I can’t believe I had to actually call the police because the manager wouldn’t honor the price. I’m shaking still. The police officer verified the price tag and told me I could take them to court and that she’d be a witness — David Leavitt (@David_Leavitt) January 17, 2020

Finally, his sense of entitlement is breathtaking. Why is he entitled to a $30 item for free?

This story has a happy ending! Twitter user @CarpeDonktum started a GoFundMe account to send this young woman on vacation. At 7 am on Saturday morning, the donations total over $13,500.

Happy Trails Tori!

I have started a GoFundMe to send Tori on a vacation. Anyone that has to deal with this twerp definitely deserves it. I'll start with a $50 donation.https://t.co/1ntqpiQngY https://t.co/X0bD1vZt5E — Carpe Donktum🔹 (@CarpeDonktum) January 17, 2020



MBA, former financial consultant, options trader

Mom of three grown children, grandmother

Email Elizabeth at



Writer at RedStateMBA, former financial consultant, options traderMom of three grown children, grandmotherEmail Elizabeth at [email protected] Read more by Elizabeth Vaughn