A former flight attendant alleges that she was fired by Delta Air Lines for posting a photoshopped image of former President Donald Trump wearing a Ku Klux Klan hood on her Facebook page.
Leondra Taylor, a black woman, alleges that the April 2021 dismissal was “racially motivated,” according to Insider.
A spokesperson for the Atlanta-based airline told The Post: “When Delta employees intermix Delta’s brand with conduct or content that does not reflect our values of professionalism, inclusion and respect, that conduct can result in discipline or termination.”
“While personnel issues are considered private between Delta and its employees, the circumstances described by our former employee are not an accurate or complete explanation of the company’s termination decision,” the spokesperson added.
Taylor claims in her lawsuit that she posted an image on Facebook depicting Trump and Joe Biden during one of their presidential debates in 2020, according to the report by Insider, which says it obtained a copy of the court filing.
In the cartoon, Trump is seen wearing the infamous white hooded sheet as he stands at the podium feet away from his opponent, Biden.
The image includes a quote bubble pointing to the debate moderator, Chris Wallace, who says: “Thank you, Mr. President, for wearing your mask.”
The image was drawn by Montreal Gazette cartoonist Terry Mosher, who goes by the pen name Aislin.
The cartoon was drawn in response to Trump’s controversial comments during one of the debates in which he urged the group Proud Boys to “stand back and stand by.”
In the lawsuit filed in Georgia district court, Taylor acknowledges that she posted the image, though she insists that it wasn’t hateful, disrespectful, or discriminatory.
Taylor believed that the image made a point about COVID-19 protective measures as well as racial discrimination against African Americans, according to Insider.
She believes she was singled out for dismissal since a white co-worker who also posted overtly political messages on their social media was not fired.
Taylor also alleges that Delta retaliated against her after she helped another flight attendant who was also dismissed for breaking the company’s rules governing the use of social media.
Delta is the only major airline whose flight attendants are not represented by a union.
