In wake of leaked audio, Goodyear president says company will let employees wear pro-police gear, controversial presentation not OK'd by corporate

President says police, first responder relationship is 'foundational to our company'

Goodyear President and CEO Rich Kramer spoke out in defense of the company on Thursday following reports of a leaked audio reportedly recorded during a training meeting at a Topeka, Kansas, facility.

The audio caught an unnamed instructor saying that certain social causes — such as Black Lives Matter and LGBTQ pride — were appropriate to display via work apparel, but others — such as MAGA-wear, Blue Lives Matter, and items relating to supporting law enforcement — were not.

In a tweet, Kramer issued a lengthy letter about Goodyear's policies.

The lengthy letter was captioned, "A message from Rich Kramer: By now, you are aware of a visual from our Topeka factory that has been circulating in the media. I want to personally clear the record on what you are seeing and hearing."

"The slide in question was created by a plant employee to try to explain what is acceptable to wear in the workplace. The slide was not approved or distributed by Goodyear Corporate or anyone outside of that facility," Kramer wrote.

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