Politics
Fundraiser For Target Employee Who Was Harassed Over Charlie Kirk Shirt Surpasses $250K
A fundraiser in support of an elderly Target employee who suffered vicious harassment because she was wearing a Charlie Kirk-themed shirt has surpassed more than $250,000 after footage of the incident went viral online.
The victim, 72-year-old Jeanie Beeman, was stocking shelves at a Target location in Chico, California when a shopper took issue with her choice of attire — a red t-shirt emblazoned with “Freedom” and the name of murdered conservative activist Charlie Kirk. Beeman was confronted by Michelea Ponce, a local far-left activist who filmed the encounter and posted it on TikTok.
Ponce asked the woman about the shirt, at which point she acknowledged that she was wearing it in memory of Kirk. The employee further explained that Target allows its workers to wear any red shirt while on the job, but this did not satisfy Ponce, who accused Beeman of being “racist” and “f***ing stupid” for supporting Kirk, whom she labeled a “racist, misogynist piece of sh**.”
The video shows Ponce repeatedly demanding Beeman remove the shirt or face complaints to management, while Beeman remained remarkably composed, responding with polite deflections like “I’m not going to argue with you. Have a nice day.”
Beeman told Local News Now that she was not aware of the incident being filmed until police showed up at her house to ask about it. The Chico Police Department ultimately concluded that Ponce’s conduct did not constitute criminal activity, but still looked into the matter due to a large volume of complaints.
Social media sleuths soon found out that Ponce was employed at Enloe Health. Within hours of the video’s viral response, the company reported more than 6,000 calls which overwhelmed their phone systems.
🚨 BREAKING: Police are now INVESTIGATING the incident where leftist woman Michelea Ponce harassed and berated an old lady for wearing a Charlie Kirk shirt while working in Target.
Ponce’s employer says police are investigating and that they’ve been FLOODED with calls.
GOOD!… pic.twitter.com/wNUgpHWj1M
— Eric Daugherty (@EricLDaugh) December 17, 2025
Beeman chose grace when responding to calls for Ponce to be fired.
“I don’t think that that’s right,” she said. “Two wrongs don’t make a right, you know, she wronged me, but I don’t want to wrong her, or I don’t want her – her wrong, because it’s not going to make it right. That was her opinion, she – but she’s the one that put it on Facebook or put it on – on that. So you know, but, I really wouldn’t want to see her, someone lose their job over it.”
Ponce apologized for her conduct in a statement of her own to Local News Now. “I want to directly apologize to Jeannie. I am truly sorry for approaching you at your workplace and putting you in an uncomfortable and unfair position. You did not deserve that, and my behavior was wrong,” she said.
“I regret my actions, and I am genuinely sorry for the harm they caused. I wish I can go back and undo what happened, but I can acknowledge it honestly, learn from it, and commit to doing better moving forward,” she went on.
In response to the outpouring of support, a GiveSendGo fundraiser was launched for Beeman. It was initially aimed at funding a dream vacation, but evolving into a potential retirement nest egg.
Organized by sympathetic conservatives, the campaign raised over $250,000 within days, far exceeding expectations. Donors praised Beeman’s dignity, with one poster noting the funds could allow her to retire comfortably after years of work.
Beeman expressed gratitude but emphasized she never sought the attention or money, calling the support “overwhelming.”
Kirk’s team even surprised her by inviting her to AmFest — Turning Point USA’s flagship convention — where she received a hero’s welcome.
