Sean O’Brien, President of the International Brotherhood of Teamsters, suggested that corporate donors influenced his exclusion from speaking at the Democratic National Convention (DNC) in a recent Fox News interview.
O’Brien told Fox News anchor Neil Cavuto, “I discussed corporate elitists, including Uber, Lyft, and Amazon, at the Republican National Convention (RNC).” He added, “These companies are major donors to both parties. There may be connections within the DNC that led them to prevent me from speaking, as I would have addressed these same corporate interests that oppose us daily.”
O’Brien’s comments came after he spoke at the RNC in Milwaukee last month. Subsequently, Teamsters Vice President John Palmer challenged O’Brien’s leadership, citing concerns such as potential retaliation against members. Palmer’s critique included severe allegations against former President Trump, accusing him of undermining workers’ rights and engaging in various forms of misconduct.
Despite this controversy, The Hill reported that the Teamsters had planned a roundtable with Vice President Harris, reflecting ongoing discussions with Democratic leaders. Kara Deniz, assistant director of communications for the Teamsters, expressed anticipation for the event, emphasizing a focus on worker issues.
On the other hand, Republican National Committee spokesperson Anna Kelly claimed that the RNC was the only party to accept O’Brien’s speaking request, positioning Republicans as champions of working families. Kelly argued that President Trump’s engagement with union leaders represents a historic expansion of the Republican base, contrasting it with the current economic challenges under the Biden administration, such as inflation and high housing costs.