A viral Facebook post recently claimed that Hobby Lobby, the popular arts and crafts retailer, pulled $50 million worth of advertisements from the 2024 Paris Olympics due to the event’s alleged “Anti-Christian Culture.” The post, originating from the Facebook page America’s Last Line of Defense, suggested that the retailer ended its supposed 20-year partnership with the Olympics following the controversial opening ceremony. However, this claim has been debunked, and there is no evidence to support it.
The Facebook post in question, shared on July 30, 2024, stated: “Hobby Lobby Pulls $50 Million in Ads from the Olympics: ‘We Can’t Continue Supporting Anti-Christian Culture.’ We’ve been a worldwide partner for more than twenty years. It’s sad it has to end like this.” Despite the sensational nature of this claim, a closer examination reveals that it is not rooted in reality.
The fact-checking website Snopes.com investigated the claim and found it to be false. There is no official statement from Hobby Lobby confirming the termination of any Olympic sponsorship, nor is there any evidence that the company has ever been an official sponsor of the Olympics. In fact, Hobby Lobby does not appear on the official list of Olympic sponsors for the 2024 Paris Games or any previous iterations of the event.
Facebook post claimed Hobby Lobby had been one of the largest U.S. sponsors of the Games.
there was no evidence that Hobby Lobby had pulled $50 million in ads from the 2024 Olympics.
Result : FAKE NEWS ⚠️ pic.twitter.com/RQEKKucgc2
— CRIME CHECK (@crime_checks) August 8, 2024
America’s Last Line of Defense, the Facebook page responsible for the post, is known for producing satirical content. The page’s “About” section explicitly states that “Nothing on this page is real,” and the post itself is marked with a “satire” badge at the bottom left corner. This clarification indicates that the content is intended as a joke rather than a factual report.
Hobby Lobby, founded in 1972 by David and Barbara Green, is a well-known retail chain in the United States, primarily selling arts and crafts supplies. The company has built its brand around Christian values, often emphasizing its commitment to faith in its public statements. However, despite these religious ties, Hobby Lobby has never been associated with the Olympics in any official capacity.
The controversy surrounding the 2024 Paris Olympics opening ceremony did indeed spark global debate, but Hobby Lobby’s involvement was fabricated. The ceremony, which aired on July 26, 2024, featured several artistic performances, one of which drew particular ire from Christian organizations. The tableau, featuring French singer Philippe Katerine and drag queens, was criticized for allegedly resembling Leonardo da Vinci’s ‘The Last Supper.’ This performance was intended to represent Dionysus, the Greek god of wine and festivity, according to the ceremony’s art director, Thomas Jolly. Despite these intentions, the tableau led to widespread outrage, particularly among Christian groups, and resulted in online abuse and death threats directed at the artists involved.
While the backlash to the Olympic ceremony was real, the claim that Hobby Lobby pulled advertising due to this controversy is entirely unfounded. The Facebook post was a piece of satire, not a factual report, and should be regarded as such. As the 2024 Paris Olympics continue, with the closing ceremony scheduled for August 11, 2024, it’s essential for readers to verify claims, especially those circulating on social media, to avoid the spread of misinformation.
Shivam Kumar
Hi, I’m Shivam Kumar. I’m pursuing Journalism honors from the IP University. I love the skill of writing and looking forward to learn more of it. Also I love traveling and experiencing new things every day….