The men’s grooming company Axe on Thursday attempted to distance itself from the pro-Trump rioter who apparently left a can of its body spray behind during the Capitol breach.
“We’d rather be lonely than with that mob,” Axe said in a tweet.
The account was responding to a picture from Washington Post reporter Mike DeBonis, which showed a discarded Axe can among the debris following Wednesday’s violence.
“AXE condemns yesterday’s acts of violence and hate at the Capitol. We believe in the democratic process and the peaceful transition of power,” the company said.
Many social media users applauded the company for speaking out. Some claimed that the strongly worded condemnation was more fierce than initial statements from President Trump or congressional Republicans.
Trump, during remarks on Wednesday to supporters on the Ellipse, encouraged them to march to the Capitol to urge lawmakers not to certify the Electoral College votes. President-elect Joe Biden won both the Electoral College and popular votes in November.
Following Trump’s remarks, rioters who approached the Capitol toppled barricades, overwhelmed Capitol Police and caused mayhem throughout the building, smashing windows, stealing laptops and vandalizing offices.
Four protesters died, including a 35-year-old woman whom a Capitol policeman shot as she attempted to access the House chamber.
A Capitol Police officer, Brian Sicknick, 42, also died of injuries sustained during the assault.