- The Washington Times - Monday, February 8, 2021

Gun control activist David Hogg’s planned pillow empire to counter conservative entrepreneur Mike Lindell will not call “The Golden State” home.

The anti-MyPillow, for all intents and purposes, will launch in a state where Mr. Hogg’s future employees can actually live and he can pay them a “living wage.”

“What states would you say are the best to start a business in and why so?” he asked Twitter followers over the weekend in a series of posts. “States that are not California (cost of living is way too high).”

He also specified some other desirable features in a location, but California is the only place he categorically ruled out.

“Not required but would love to create jobs in areas that have lost many jobs to deindustrialization. Also not required but would prefer to be near the mean population center of the US which is like a 500-mile circle around [the] Memphis area. Having the HQ “Pillow Fort” there and eventual manufacturing would be nice for logistics and distribution & reducing emissions from transport.”

Critics immediately noted the activist’s decision to shun one of the nation’s bastions of liberalism.

David suddenly has an appreciation for the negative effects of government regulation, taxes, and incompetence,” added one reader.

“The cost of living in CA is high for the very reason they are in sync with your politics. If you locate in a red state favorable to business, you are a hypocrite,” added another.

Mr. Hogg announced his plans Feb. 4 by hitching the product to his credibility in left-wing activist circles.

“[Activist William Legate] and I are going to prove that progressives can make a better pillow, run a better business and help make the world a better place while doing it,” he wrote.

He offered a “guarantee” over the weekend to keep his brand free from “unsolicited Bible quotes.”

“And in regards to the Cost of living,” he added. “We want our employees to have the biggest bang for their buck housing in CA for example is unbelievably expensive even for people making what would be considered more than a living wage in many other states.”

• Douglas Ernst can be reached at dernst@washingtontimes.com.

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