A court has dismissed a lawsuit brought by online liberal commentator The Woke Ginger, who claimed he was fired by his former employer after criticizing a local business’s relationship with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
The commentator, whose real name is Justin Kralemann, has nearly 750,000 Instagram followers. His content promotes liberal causes and frequently mocks Donald Trump and Republican figures.
Kralemann filed suit in March against Food Outreach Inc., alleging the nonprofit terminated him the previous month because of comments he made about the influential Taylor family.
The family controls Enterprise Holdings, the company behind Enterprise Rent-A-Car, and holds a majority stake in Major League Soccer’s St. Louis City SC.
Shortly before his February 23 termination, Kralemann joined other liberals in criticizing Enterprise Rent-A-Car over claims that it rented vehicles to ICE.
St. Louis City SC had also faced criticism from supporters after banning overtly left-wing political flags—including Black Lives Matter and transgender pride flags—from its matches.
“The family behind one of the largest rental car companies in the United States keeps landing in the news, and it’s not for the right reasons,” Kralemann said in a video targeting the Taylors and Enterprise.
He also highlighted the family’s political contributions, which he said totaled $400,000 during the 2024 election cycle, with 67 percent directed to Republican candidates.
Online liberal commentator The Woke Ginger has lost his lawsuit against a former employer after alleging he was fired over criticism of a local business’s cooperation with ICE
Justin Kralemann, known online as The Woke Ginger, has nearly 750,000 Instagram followers and regularly promotes liberal causes while ridiculing Donald Trump and Republicans
In his complaint, Kralemann argued that Food Outreach Inc. dismissed him because a member of its board held an executive position at Enterprise.
Food Outreach Inc. describes itself as a nonprofit providing “medically tailored meals and nutrition support to people facing HIV or cancer.”
The board member identified in the case serves as Enterprise’s senior director of development and strategic initiatives.
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Kralemann maintained that his termination was punishment for protected political expression and violated Missouri law.
Enterprise has repeatedly denied playing any role in Food Outreach Inc.’s decision to fire him.
Joan Moriarty, a judge on the St. Louis City Circuit Court, dismissed the lawsuit on Thursday.
The judge said the case did not center on Kralemann’s right to express political opinions, but on his public criticism of a major donor to Food Outreach Inc.
“It is clear to the court that plaintiff was terminated as a result of publicly criticizing donors and board members of defendant,” Moriarty wrote.
Kralemann sued Food Outreach Inc. in March, alleging he was fired the month before after criticizing the powerful Taylor family, which controls Enterprise Holdings
The Taylor family also controls a majority stake in Major League Soccer club St. Louis City SC
The judge found that Kralemann’s large online following and his role as the public face of a Food Outreach Inc. program created an obligation to protect the nonprofit’s reputation.
“His criticism of any donor, even related to a minor choice of said donor, would have a significantly negative impact,” she wrote.
“We’re disappointed by the court’s decision,” Eddie Ernst, an attorney representing Kralemann, told STLToday.
“We continue to believe our client’s claims are well founded, and we’re carefully reviewing the court’s reasoning and our options going forward, including an appeal.”
Enterprise denied in March that it had any involvement in Kralemann’s dismissal.
The Daily Mail has contacted Food Outreach Inc. for comment.