David Hogg—a survivor of the 2018 Marjory Stoneman Douglas High massacre in Parkland, Florida—said he plans to compete with the conservative CEO of MyPillow Mike Lindell—a conspiracy theorist and staunch ally of former President Donald Trump.
"This pillow fight just got very real," said Hogg, who has also become an outspoken gun reform activist.
Yes- @williamlegate and I really are starting a pillow company.— David Hogg (@David Hogg)1612477876.0
The 20-year-old will be teaming up with 26-year-old progressive tech entrepreneur William LeGate as an alternative to the bedding company run by Lindell.
Lindell, 59, is known for spouting several baseless conspiracy theories.
Twitter permanently suspended his account after he repeatedly spread unsubstantiated claims of voter fraud and incendiary rhetoric.
On Tuesday, Hogg announced his collaboration with LeGate and highlighted "key parts of the company."
He was also optimistic his yet-to-be-named company could put MyPillow out of business.
"[LaGate] and I can and will run a better business and make a better product all with more happy staff than Mike the pillow guy while creating US based Union jobs and helping people."
"We also hope to hire formerly incarcerated people, vets and the workers from my pillow in the case we put them out of business."
Key parts of the company -Union made in America to create good jobs that support American families. -Have an emp… https://t.co/RtAEcCzJr5— David Hogg (@David Hogg)1612478033.0
We also hope to hire formerly inceaserateb people, vets and the workers from my pillow in the case we put them out… https://t.co/PQwi3eRE4Z— David Hogg (@David Hogg)1612478033.0
You can see Hogg speaking about the business plan here:
LeGate also tweeted a video sharing his thoughts on his new endeavor, saying:
"I don't know about you guys, but I like pillow companies that don't fund insurrections against the U.S. government."
“The Elon Musk of pillows” issues a statement: https://t.co/1gz033ChjC— William LeGate (ig: @legate) (@William LeGate (ig: @legate))1612471112.0
When he and his new business partner became the #1 trending search on Twitter, he proudly proclaimed they "didn't even have to overthrow democracy to do it!"
David Hogg & I are currently the #1 trend on Twitter, and we didn’t even have to overthrow democracy to do it! 😃 https://t.co/ZLZ8LqtNsq— William LeGate (ig: @legate) (@William LeGate (ig: @legate))1612477299.0
With the website about to launch "in a couple weeks," Hogg encouraged people to submit suggestions in naming his pillow venture.
The website will be up in a couple weeks we are very much in the early stages right now. But we really are doing th… https://t.co/C2jYAf74Or— David Hogg (@David Hogg)1612478117.0
Hogg also asked for labor union input.
I NEED A UNIONIZED PILLOW MANUFACTURER IN THE US We’re having a hard time finding one If you know one PLEASE dm— David Hogg (@David Hogg)1612491018.0
Hey everyone just wanted to let you know we want to get the pillow out as quickly as possible but we are not going… https://t.co/ciDFFGk9uz— David Hogg (@David Hogg)1612493316.0
Thank you @UFWupdates for reaching out about Union manufacturing!!! Thank you!!! And thank you for feeding me!— David Hogg (@David Hogg)1612497900.0
I have like half the most powerful unions in the country in my dm s right now trying to help us on source material… https://t.co/dc9CNT57mh— David Hogg (@David Hogg)1612500046.0
Let's prove that you can make a truly American and union made product that benefits the customer and everyone behin… https://t.co/AMU4uBHf4w— David Hogg (@David Hogg)1612501421.0
The logistics of the start up might prove a challenge for the mail room at Harvard where Hogg is attending school.
My apologies in advance to the mailroom https://t.co/3dR8yxF8Cd— David Hogg (@David Hogg)1612533105.0
People were more than enthusiastic and gave their endorsements for Hogg and LeGate's pillow collab.
@davidhogg111 @williamlegate I must admit, the two of you are perfectly matched. I couldn’t be more pleased and wil… https://t.co/NCURc49WvX— Pat 🇺🇸 (@Pat 🇺🇸)1612479510.0
@davidhogg111 @williamlegate You guys will be the next Bill Gates - wealthy but with a heart, wanting to make the w… https://t.co/dKYpaXnRxT— Truth Matters (@Truth Matters)1612480491.0
@davidhogg111 @williamlegate Way to go guys! I first heard of My Pillow listening to Cubs games on the radio. I tho… https://t.co/nhbGQpiPDx— Mick Limerick (@Mick Limerick)1612485602.0
@davidhogg111 @williamlegate I've had a "my pillow" since before anyone really knew about that guy's politics and p… https://t.co/jI11gWwARJ— R Ricciardi IQ 188 (@R Ricciardi IQ 188)1612478059.0
@davidhogg111 @williamlegate Good luck David and William, you won’t regret it , even tho starting a business has it… https://t.co/amTqmllpIM— Susan Heslop (@Susan Heslop)1612533504.0
@davidhogg111 @williamlegate I’ll buy two as soon as you’re up and running. I’ll sleep on a slab of cold granite… https://t.co/8g2e0lA8Jf— Karen Barrows (@Karen Barrows)1612485769.0
@davidhogg111 @williamlegate Glad to hear this! I need new pillows now, but will wait until your business is up an… https://t.co/3agH4JR97O— Chrispy (@Chrispy)1612536504.0
@davidhogg111 @williamlegate As an AirBnB owner, I am frequently changing out pillows. Would love to set up a pill… https://t.co/JN1W2uLqPQ— Tim Baublits (He/Him) (@Tim Baublits (He/Him))1612478172.0
@davidhogg111 @williamlegate This is a _Fantastic_ idea. I would absolutely buy a pillow to support your venture, a… https://t.co/C5rcwTcnSq— chunkatron (@chunkatron)1612544915.0
Several people submitted their suggestions for the company name.
@davidhogg111 @williamlegate OurPillow. SoftControl. CloudPillow. PillowCloud. DreamSweet. SweetDream.— SCOTT Miller (@SCOTT Miller)1612549497.0
@davidhogg111 @williamlegate *Not*My Pillow. Perfect Pillow.… https://t.co/fIk7SrBpyW— MK (@MK)1612493939.0
@davidhogg111 @williamlegate People Pillow a Pillow for the People, because after the last four and a half years Ev… https://t.co/IrSY85rG1w— gone for good (@gone for good)1612504268.0
Of course right wing trolls came after Hogg, but after being a favored target for years he's become adept at rolling with the punches.
Anybody interested in a Pride Limited edition pillow ? If we sold this pillow we could give all of the profits fro… https://t.co/KG6RQqKqMu— David Hogg (@David Hogg)1612493864.0
@davidhogg11/Twitter
@RavMABAY @davidhogg111 This penis pillow is certified kosher for Passover!— I, Thaddeus 孟思德 (@I, Thaddeus 孟思德)1612494838.0
Lindell did not appear nervous over the announcement of a potential rival in the bedding industry.
He told Axios:
"Good for them. … Nothing wrong with competition that does not infringe on someone's patent."