Toyota Chairman Akio Toyoda Sparks Outrage with Pro-Trump Display at Fuji Speedway Event
FUJI, JAPAN – Toyota Chairman Akio Toyoda ignited a social media firestorm this weekend after appearing at a local series event at the Fuji race circuit wearing a “MAGA” red cap and a T-shirt featuring images of former President Donald Trump and Vice President JD vance. The display,coinciding with a parade of American cars and a NASCAR demonstration drive,drew immediate and sharply divided reactions.
Critics swiftly condemned Toyoda’s political statement, with some vowing to boycott the brand. One user posted to X (formerly Twitter) under the contribution of U.S. Ambassador to Japan George Glass, stating, “Fuck you, Toyota. when it’s time for a new car, I’ll never consider one.” Another X user wrote, “I wanted Akio Toyoda to sign my toyota. I don’t want it anymore, it doesn’t exist for me.”
Supporters of Trump, however, largely celebrated the gesture, with some ironically questioning whether opponents would abandon Toyota’s Prius model.
Toyoda addressed the event,telling Automotive News,”I’m not here to argue whether tariffs are good or bad. We’re trying to find a way to make tariffs a win-win. We really want our customers to be winners.” He was speaking while former Formula 1 driver Kamui Kobayashi drove a NASCAR championship car.
While Toyoda currently serves as chairman of the board, Koji Sato assumed the role of Toyota’s president in 2023.
Automotive News noted the display as part of a series of “silent signals” indicating Japan’s openness to American car culture and imports amid Trump’s import tariffs. Toyota, Japan’s largest exporter to the United States, successfully negotiated a reduction in import tariffs with Trump from 27.5% to 15% in the summer. Following this, in November, the company announced a $10 billion investment in U.S. mobility initiatives, including $912 million to expand hybrid car production capacity. Toyota currently operates eleven factories in the United States, producing vehicles, engines, batteries, and other components.
The automaker is also reportedly exploring options to import U.S.-manufactured vehicles to Japan, specifically the Camry, a popular model in the American market. The Georgetown factory is reportedly capable of adapting to right-hand drive production within months, shoudl Toyota pursue this strategy.
