Wayfair: HGTV, Property Brothers 'should boycott' company amid child sex trafficking allegations, says internet
Amidst the rapidly spiraling child trafficking conspiracy theory surrounding Wayfair, it appears that HGTV and some celebrities have been caught in its wake. Several social media users are now asking the American pay television channel and other celebrities endorsing and selling their designs on its website to boycott Wayfair.
Wayfair began trending on social media on Friday morning, July 10, after thousands of people took to Twitter to indulge in a conspiracy theory, accusing Wayfair of child trafficking. The theory started after people apparently noticed that the company was charging exorbitant prices for items like storage cabinets and throw pillows, and although all of the items appeared identical they allegedly had different names written on the item descriptions. Some social media users believe that the furniture and home-goods company is selling "missing children" through their high-priced cabinets and throw pillows costing nearly $10,000 to $12,000 and $9,000.
Celebrities like The Property Brothers, Jessica Simpson, and more sell their furniture designs on the HGTV-endorsed website. Without any statements from HGTV and others on the theory, social media users took to Twitter calling for a boycott of the channel if they don't disassociate themselves with the company. One user wrote: "@hgtv @HGTVMag You have stopped using #Wayfair I assume? @PropertyBrother @MrSilverScott #Wayfairhumantrafficking" While another added: "Yo @Wayfair y’all are evil as hell, I don’t even wanna watch @hgtv anymore."
"That is literally all I watch these days - HGTV. Because it’s innocent. Now you’re saying they’re dirty? Everyone should boycott Wayfair NOW" another wrote. "Oh. My. God. They're SO screwed...really, REALLY screwed. Gonna send this to @hgtv & see if they have any comments? Haven't watched HGTV since I cut my cable in 2017 BUT back then they sure plugged @Wayfair products regularly. #cancelculture works both ways. #SaveTheChildren," a fourth user added.
While there were others who speculated whether HGTV, which is a part of Discovery Network, was also involved in the claims laid out in the trafficking conspiracy theory.
"Okay so Wayfair has been outed, they sponsor HGTV which is a member of Discovery Channel group. Are they also part of all this too? We are talking the Heritage package that they are promoting now. Food network, Hallmark, Discovery, Nat Geo just to name a few," one Twitter user wrote. "Hey @hgtv
if this is true! Your ratings are gonna go in the toilet! The evidence is definitely adding up! You need to speak up about this as this is a company that you have heavily endorsed. If this has been under your nose," another added.
Wayfair had released a clarification on July 10 dismissing the theory, saying: "There is, of course, no truth to these claims. The products in question are industrial grade cabinets that are accurately priced. Recognizing that the photos and descriptions provided by the supplier did not adequately explain the high price point, we have temporarily removed the products from site to rename them and to provide a more in-depth description and photos that accurately depict the product to clarify the price point."
Social media users, on Saturday, July 11, took to Twitter to rubbish the company's dismissal of the claims and are now asking for an FBI investigation.