Dear Michael Miebach, CEO at Mastercard:
Mastercard is listed as a corporate sponsor of President Trump’s Freedom 250, the White House-backed Christian nationalist hijack of America’s 250th birthday. Freedom 250’s “Rededicate 250” event is set to take place on May 17 at the National Mall. Pete Hegseth will headline the event, “rededicating our country as One Nation under God.”
Last night, President Trump posted a vile, racist attack against Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries on his Truth Social. Accompanied by a photo of Rep. Jeffries holding a baseball bat, the president wrote: “Low IQ Democrat Minority Leader, Hakeem Jeffries, is nothing but a THUG, and he is a danger to our country!”
Question: How does Mastercard reconcile sponsoring Trump’s white Christian nationalist ‘Rededicate’ event, presented by a president who is fomenting racist hatred and violence, with the company’s mission, established by the Center for Inclusive Growth? Shamina Singh is Founder & President, Center for Inclusive Growth, EVP, Sustainability at Mastercard.
Center for Inclusive Growth: “We’re putting Mastercard’s powerful assets in service of people and the planet, using insights and influence for impact.”
White Christian nationalism is a violent movement. Dr. John B. White, Ph.D., faculty at BYU, formerly Baylor University wrote for Homeland Security Affairs journal:
“The rise of Christian Nationalism, a movement that melds the pursuit of religious and political dominance, causes a substantial threat to liberal democracy and religious freedom. Christian Nationalism’s singular goal is to combine religious and political power, which scholars agree likely results in ‘religiously motivated genocide.’”
The Freedom 250 site includes a prominent “Pray for America” section with a link to America Prays, saying the White House is calling on Americans to pray, giving directions on how to pray, citing Bible scripture.
What are Mastercard’s comments about sponsoring Hegseth’s speaking appearance at the Freedom 250 Rededicate 250 Christian nationalist event on May 17?
“Hegseth’s distinct combination of piety and bloodlust was most prominently on display at the 25 March worship service at the Pentagon, the first since the war in Iran began, when he prayed for ‘overwhelming violence of action against those who deserve no mercy,” the Guardian reported.
What are Mastercard’s concerns about sponsoring an event that advances white Christian nationalist extremism, a violent movement that foments racist hatred?
No one from Mastercard has responded to multiple inquiries as of today, May 2, 2026