With the Detroit Lions’ 2026 draft now nearly a full week in the rear-view mirror, it’s time for the Pride of Detroit staff to take inventory of what transpired. We’ve had time to read the scouting reports, listen to what Lions general manager Brad Holmes had to say about each pick, and do our own dive into the college film.
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Harley-Davidson board of directors silent on future, fate of 'woke' CEO and chairman
Harley-Davidson accused of going ‘woke’
‘America Reports’ panelists Taylor Riggs and Jackie DeAngelis discuss the controversy surrounding the iconic motorcycle company and the importance of political neutrality in businesses.
The leadership of Harley-Davidson is facing questions following a series of curious strategic decisions and public relations moves that have attracted widespread attention.
The “woke” internal agenda of CEO Jochen Zeitz, and the shocking comparisons he made of himself to the Taliban, the global terror group, in his quest for “sustainability” have damaged the motorcycle maker’s brand integrity, many say — plus sparked outrage on social media and launched a rebellion among Harley-Davidson’s loyal customers.
Just two days ago, the company released a statement renouncing DEI and other controversial initiatives it had put into place in recent years.
HARLEY-DAVIDSON CEO COMPARES HIMSELF TO ‘TALIBAN’ IN EFFORT TO REMAKE MOTORCYCLE BRAND
“It is critical to our business that we hire and retain the best talent and that all employees feel welcome,” the company noted.
“That said, we have not operated a DEI function since April 2024, and we do not have a DEI function today. We do not have hiring quotas and we no longer have supplier diversity spend goals.”
Jochen Zietz, chairman and CEO of Harley-Davidson, has compared himself to the Taliban, the global terror group, in his quest for “sustainability.” Inset: a biker with an American flag on his Harley. (Reuters/Brendan McDermid | Reuters)
In late July, filmmaker and conservative political commentator Robby Starbuck tweeted, “@harleydavidson has been one of the most beloved brands in America but recently on CEO Jochen Zeitz’s watch, they’ve gone totally woke.” This week, Starbuck celebrated the company’s change of heart.
“Recently on CEO Jochen Zeitz’s watch, they’ve gone totally woke.”
Given this and more, there are increasing concerns about the direction of the Milwaukee motorcycle maker, one of America’s most beloved brands.
Zeitz is both Harley-Davidson’s CEO and chairman of the board.
HARLEY-DAVIDSON SLAMS BRAKES ON ‘WOKE’ POLICIES AFTER SPARKING BIKER AND SOCIAL-MEDIA OUTRAGE
Fox News Digital this week attempted to reach Zeitz and Harley-Davidson, as well as each member of its board of directors, to discuss their versions of recent events, as well as other issues.
Jochen Zeitz is seen in Nuremberg, Germany, in 2008, years before he became CEO and chairman of the board of Harley-Davidson. (Alexander Hassenstein/Getty Images)
Here is the result.
HARLEY-DAVIDSON ‘USED’ BIKERS BEFORE ‘WOKE’ CONTROVERSY, FORMER OUTLAW RIDER CLAIM
Jochen Zeitz
Board bio: Chairman, president and chief executive officer, Harley-Davidson, Inc.
Additional bio: Became CEO of Puma at age 30, founder of Team B with a mission to define business by social agenda, and opened the Zeitz Museum of Contemporary Art in South Africa in 2017.
“We are trying to take on traditional capitalism and trying to redefine it,” Zeitz told executives at a globalist business summit in Switzerland in 2020, the year he became CEO of Harley-Davidson.
Reply to Fox News Digital: Did not respond to phone or email requests from Fox News Digital.
Festival participants are shown on their Harley-Davidson bikes at the big ride in Saxony, Dresden, Germany, in July 2023. (Matthias Rietschel/picture alliance/Getty Images)
Troy Alstead
Board bio: President and CEO, Ocean5 and Table 47, founder of Harbor 05, LLC, and former chief operating officer, Starbucks Corporation
Reply to Fox News Digital: No response.
Jared Dourdeville
Board bio: H Partners Management, LLC
Reply to Fox News Digital: No response.
James Duncan Farley Jr.
Board bio: President and chief executive officer Ford Motor Company
Reply to Fox News Digital: No response.
Allan Golston
Board bio: President, United States Program for the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation
Reply to Fox News Digital: “I’m not able to comment,” Golston said, and hung up the phone. Also, an out-of-office message arrived via email.
A Harley-Davidson logo is seen near a store in Krakow, Poland, in January. (Jakub Porzycki/NurPhoto via Getty Images)
Sara Levinson
Board bio: Co-founder and former director of Katapult Studio, former executive, Clubmom, Inc., NFL Properties, Inc. and MTV: Music Television.
Reply to Fox News Digital: No response.
For more Lifestyle articles, visit foxnews/lifestyle
Norman Thomas Linebarger
Board bio: Former executive chairman of Cummins, Inc. and former chairman and chief executive officer of Cummins, Inc.
Reply to Fox News Digital: No response.
Jochen Zeitz, then-CEO of Puma, is shown in Berlin in 2009. (Michele Tantussi/Bloomberg via Getty Images)
Rafeh Masood
Board bio: Chief growth and digital officer of Royal Caribbean Group
Reply to Fox News Digital: Unnamed individual answered phone, said Masood was not available.
Maryrose Sylvester
Board bio: Former executive, ABB Group, General Electric Intelligent Platforms, and General Electric Lighting
Reply to Fox News Digital: No response.
Fox News Digital’s Hannah Grossman contributed to this report.
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So over the next week, our staff will be sharing their thoughts on the Lions’ draft class in a roundtable-like discussion. To kick the series off, we’re going to talk about our favorite pick from the Lions’ NFL Draft.
And as a fun exercise, I’m going to include a link to last year’s answers to see how wrong/right we were.
2025: Best Detroit Lions draft pick discussion
What was your favorite pick from the Lions’ 2026 NFL Draft?
Ryan Mathews: Blake Miller
Miller was easily my favorite pick of the draft. Holmes didn’t have to sacrifice any future capital to bolster an offensive line that desperately needed to be improved after last season’s noticeable step back. Instead, he let the board come to him on Day 1, and when it did, Holmes drafted a player who fits in terms of both football character and play style.
Brandon Knapp: Blake Miller
Despite the rumors of the Lions liking Kadyn Proctor, he thankfully was off the board. For me, Miller was my 1B to Francis Mauigoa as my top twoo options in the first round. The OT spot was the most important position that needed to be addressed and the team taking one at 17 was music to my ears. I wanted the experience and consistency Miller brought.
John Whiticar: Blake Miller
There was some thought (fear?) that the Lions might get cute and pass on tackle in the first round. Instead, not only did the Lions get a perfect culture and scheme fit, they also did so without trading up from pick 17. Miller will technically battle Larry Borom for the right tackle spot, but it would be a major surprise if he doesn’t win it outright. For a team that just parted ways with Taylor Decker, adding Miller to the roster is just about a perfect way to replace—and potentially improve upon—the veteran. It was an easy and obvious choice, and the Lions went for it.
Erik Schlitt: Blake Miller
I haven’t been shy about my desire to see Miller in Honolulu Blue, as I believe he was a perfect combination of skill set, character, and need for the Lions at pick No. 17 in the first round. I firmly believe that the Lions have found the ideal replacement for Taylor Decker; a starting tackle who can deliver reliable production for the next 10 years.
Jeremy Reisman: Miller/Keith Abney
I discussed this earlier in Sunday’s Question of the Day. But in short: Miller was the most logical pick, and I’m glad the Lions stayed relatively patient and took him without spending extra draft capital—even if they tried. But more impressively, they may have gotten their future starting nickel in Abney all the way in the fifth round. For a team with minimal draft capital, landing a potential starter that late in a “thin” draft class should be considered a huge triumph. If the Lions are going to stay competitive long-term, it’s not just imperative they hit on the early picks, but they’ll need to find late-round steals and that’s exactly what Abney is.
Milwaukee apartment building fire
Firefighters responded to the scene of an apartment building fire on Fond du Lac Avenue near Bourbon Street in Milwaukee on Friday morning, May 1.
MILWAUKEE – Firefighters responded to the scene of an apartment building fire on Fond du Lac Avenue near Bourbon Street in Milwaukee on Friday morning, May 1.
What we know:
According to the Milwaukee Fire Department, crews responded to the scene shortly before 3 a.m. Upon arrival, they found fire on the first and second floors.
Five occupants jumped from second floor balconies and were taken to the hospital. Six other occupants were rescued from the structure by the Milwaukee Fire Department.
Milwaukee apartment building fire on Fond du Lac Avenue near Bourbon Street
Milwaukee apartment building fire on Fond du Lac Avenue near Bourbon Street
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No additional details have been released – including the cause of the fire or the amount of damage sustained.
The Source: The information in this post was provided by the Milwaukee Fire Department.
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