Alright, be honest...how do you feel about BIG W stocking a MAGA hat?
- Replies 27
Some Australians were left stunned when a controversial US political symbol quietly appeared for sale on a major local retailer’s website.
The listing didn’t last long—but it sparked a wave of online backlash and fresh questions about retail oversight.
Now, all eyes are on how platforms vet what third-party sellers are allowed to promote.
Red ‘Make America Great Again’ hats—popularised by Donald Trump’s presidential campaigns—briefly appeared on BIG W’s online marketplace this week.
The hats, known for their strong political associations, were listed under party merchandise.
It was content creator Jeff Kissubi who first flagged the item on social media, calling attention to the harm the symbol has come to represent.
‘Speaking about this a little bit more,’ Jeff said, ‘The fact that they have this on their website as a party merch is what is it about Trump and his politics that has resulted in inhumane treatment of other people within America, something to wear as a costume, especially you as a brand that’s selling these things. Why is that?’
He continued: ‘Might I add, ICE is currently deporting people 3000 a day under this “Make America Great Again” campaign, lives are being destroyed, and here you guys are on the other side of the world selling this as merch. Crazy.’
Social media users quickly joined the conversation, calling the listing ‘embarrassing’ and ‘scary’.
Comments poured in across platforms, with many asking why an Australian retailer would sell such a polarising symbol, especially one associated with racism, xenophobia, and family separations.
‘BIG W—you have made a bad choice! What were you thinking?’ one user wrote.
Another warned: ‘Yall be so FR this is not gonna be worn as a “costume”.’
Source: TikTok/blondejeff
By the following morning, the listing had disappeared.
Jeff updated his followers to confirm the hats had been removed and revealed they had been posted by a third-party seller on BIG W’s marketplace.
Woolworths, BIG W’s parent company, reportedly responded to Jeff’s email to say the item had been taken down—though they did not directly address the broader implications of selling such products.
Jeff thanked those who spoke out and urged continued vigilance from consumers.
The fact the item came from a third-party seller raised additional concerns about accountability.
‘Glad they removed it, but concerning it was there in the first place even if it was from a third party,’ one person commented.
Another added: ‘They would still have to approve items for their site yeah? Otherwise they would risk illegal items being sold through them by third parties.’
In response, Jeff wrote: ‘Appreciate the context, but when a global retailer gives a platform to third-party sellers, they’re still responsible for what gets sold under their name. You don’t get to profit off marketplace sales without also being accountable for vetting hate symbols especially ones tied to violence, racism, and global harm.’
In a statement, a BIG W Market spokesperson said: ‘These products were listed on BIG W Market by a third party merchant. As soon as we were made aware, we immediately removed the products from sale.’
BIG W has been contacted again to confirm whether it has a process in place for reviewing controversial third-party listings.
The listing has reignited a broader debate over the meaning of MAGA hats outside of the United States.
While some see them as simple political merchandise, others argue they have become a symbol of white supremacy and far-right extremism.
During Trump’s presidency, the MAGA slogan was associated with policies that separated families, rolled back women’s rights, and saw an increase in hate crimes across the US.
Similar hats have also been spotted on other Australian marketplaces such as Kogan and Fruugo Australia, which also allow third-party listings.
Both have been contacted for comment.
This wasn’t the first time Trump-era policies or symbols caused ripple effects far beyond US borders.
In fact, one individual’s life was turned upside down after becoming entangled in immigration rules tied directly to that political movement.
If you’re interested in how these policies have impacted people on a personal level, here’s a story that dives into just that.
Read more: Australian MMA coach lands in US prison due to Trump’s policy changes
How do you feel about major Australian retailers allowing MAGA hats to be listed on their platforms, even briefly?
The listing didn’t last long—but it sparked a wave of online backlash and fresh questions about retail oversight.
Now, all eyes are on how platforms vet what third-party sellers are allowed to promote.
Red ‘Make America Great Again’ hats—popularised by Donald Trump’s presidential campaigns—briefly appeared on BIG W’s online marketplace this week.
The hats, known for their strong political associations, were listed under party merchandise.
It was content creator Jeff Kissubi who first flagged the item on social media, calling attention to the harm the symbol has come to represent.
MAGA hat spotted on BIG W marketplace. Image source: TikTok/blondejeff/BIG W
‘Speaking about this a little bit more,’ Jeff said, ‘The fact that they have this on their website as a party merch is what is it about Trump and his politics that has resulted in inhumane treatment of other people within America, something to wear as a costume, especially you as a brand that’s selling these things. Why is that?’
He continued: ‘Might I add, ICE is currently deporting people 3000 a day under this “Make America Great Again” campaign, lives are being destroyed, and here you guys are on the other side of the world selling this as merch. Crazy.’
Social media users quickly joined the conversation, calling the listing ‘embarrassing’ and ‘scary’.
Comments poured in across platforms, with many asking why an Australian retailer would sell such a polarising symbol, especially one associated with racism, xenophobia, and family separations.
‘BIG W—you have made a bad choice! What were you thinking?’ one user wrote.
Another warned: ‘Yall be so FR this is not gonna be worn as a “costume”.’
Source: TikTok/blondejeff
By the following morning, the listing had disappeared.
Jeff updated his followers to confirm the hats had been removed and revealed they had been posted by a third-party seller on BIG W’s marketplace.
Woolworths, BIG W’s parent company, reportedly responded to Jeff’s email to say the item had been taken down—though they did not directly address the broader implications of selling such products.
Jeff thanked those who spoke out and urged continued vigilance from consumers.
The fact the item came from a third-party seller raised additional concerns about accountability.
‘Glad they removed it, but concerning it was there in the first place even if it was from a third party,’ one person commented.
Another added: ‘They would still have to approve items for their site yeah? Otherwise they would risk illegal items being sold through them by third parties.’
In response, Jeff wrote: ‘Appreciate the context, but when a global retailer gives a platform to third-party sellers, they’re still responsible for what gets sold under their name. You don’t get to profit off marketplace sales without also being accountable for vetting hate symbols especially ones tied to violence, racism, and global harm.’
In a statement, a BIG W Market spokesperson said: ‘These products were listed on BIG W Market by a third party merchant. As soon as we were made aware, we immediately removed the products from sale.’
BIG W has been contacted again to confirm whether it has a process in place for reviewing controversial third-party listings.
The listing has reignited a broader debate over the meaning of MAGA hats outside of the United States.
While some see them as simple political merchandise, others argue they have become a symbol of white supremacy and far-right extremism.
During Trump’s presidency, the MAGA slogan was associated with policies that separated families, rolled back women’s rights, and saw an increase in hate crimes across the US.
Similar hats have also been spotted on other Australian marketplaces such as Kogan and Fruugo Australia, which also allow third-party listings.
Both have been contacted for comment.
This wasn’t the first time Trump-era policies or symbols caused ripple effects far beyond US borders.
In fact, one individual’s life was turned upside down after becoming entangled in immigration rules tied directly to that political movement.
If you’re interested in how these policies have impacted people on a personal level, here’s a story that dives into just that.
Read more: Australian MMA coach lands in US prison due to Trump’s policy changes
How do you feel about major Australian retailers allowing MAGA hats to be listed on their platforms, even briefly?
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