A California hospital, Enloe Health, found itself in the middle of an online uproar after one of its staff members publicly berated a Target employee who was wearing a “Freedom” shirt bearing the name of Charlie Kirk.
The outburst was captured on video and quickly spread across social media, spurring a wave of angry responses.
During a press briefing on Wednesday, Mike Wiltermood, the president and CEO of Enloe Health, revealed that the center had been inundated with over 6,000 “profanity‑laced” messages since the clip emerged earlier that day.
He urged the public to stop contacting the hospital’s main phone line, explaining that the constant calls were hindering the team’s ability to care for patients and their families.
In the viral clip, an Enloe employee confronted an elderly Target staff member, accusing her of being a “racist” and repeatedly shouting, “Are you f‑king stupid?” She had been wearing a red shirt with the slogan “Freedom” and Charlie Kirk’s name. The Target employee, however, remained composed, politely responded, “That’s your opinion ma’am,” and walked away.
A Target spokesman confirmed that the company expects all shoppers and employees to treat each other with respect and is focusing on supporting its team during this incident.
Wiltermood praised the Target worker for her calm handling of the situation and condemned the inappropriate behavior of his own employee. He added that the matter isn’t about politics but about mutual respect and decorum.
He declined to comment on whether the Enloe staffer was dismissed, citing a policy against disclosing internal personnel matters. Online sleuths identified the employee as a member of Enloe Health, though the Chico Police Department said the actions shown in the video do not constitute a criminal offense.
The Target employee, informally known as “Jeanie” in a fundraising campaign, has garnered support from donors who admire her composure.
One contributor wrote, “You seem like such a nice person unlike the POS who harassed you. Wishing you a Merry Christmas and a great 2026!” Another admirer remarked, “Thank you for demonstrating politeness and tolerance are possible even with a crazy woman.”
Organizers of the crowdfunding effort hope to provide Jeanie with whatever she needs, from a much‑needed vacation to a retirement fund.
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