Harley-Davidson CEO likens his efforts to revamp the brand to the Taliban's actions.

Social-media influencer Robby Starbuck claimed in a new post on X that the Harley-Davidson motorcycle brand and business model are being "attacked" from within.

Jochen Zeitz, the German-born CEO of the iconic brand, has been accused of going woke as he oversees the company. He took over as CEO in May 2020.

At the Zermatt Summit in Switzerland in 2020, Zeitz recounted his experience as a board member of Kiering, the parent company of Gucci, Puma, and Stella McCartney, where he was once labeled as the "sustainable Taliban" by someone.

In the same speech, Zeitz mentioned the terror group again, as seen in the video shared by Starbuck this week.

Zeitz remarked to the conference attendees, "Of course, Harley's all about the sound and smell of the Harley-Davidson, isn't it?"

In the video, Zeitz stated, "I became the Taliban again in a sustainable manner, while smiling and walking back and forth on stage, and referencing Harley-Davidson."

"I made the decision to establish a sustainability committee, which I continue to chair to this day."

The CEO's glib comparison to a terror group that has American blood on its hands shocked Starbuck, his social media followers, and many longtime Harley-Davidson riders.

James "Hollywood" Macecari, a motorcycling media mogul, expressed his disgust towards the comparison when he said, "I think it's f------ disgusting," to Planet Chronicle Digital.

The Taliban, a globally condemned terrorist group, ruled Afghanistan and provided a home base for Osama bin Laden and his Al-Qaeda terror network before and after the group plotted its Sept. 11, 2001 terror attacks on the United States.

"I became the Taliban again in a sustainable way."

Nearly 3,000 people were killed and more than 6,000 others were injured in the attacks, according to the U.S. State Department. Approximately 2,500 U.S. service members were killed in the effort to combat the Taliban in the subsequent war.

Macecari, founder of Insane Throttle and author of four books, stated last week in an interview that he doesn't care if Harley-Davidson crashes and burns under Zeitz's "woke" policies.

In August 2021, the Biden-Harris administration quickly abandoned Afghanistan, leaving behind billions of dollars' worth of American military equipment in the possession of the Taliban.

The administration also abandoned American military personnel.

On Aug. 26, 2021, during the U.S. military's evacuation at the Kabul airport, 183 people, including 13 U.S. service members, were killed by suicide bombers.

"These are people who have killed Americans on purpose and with purpose."

The Taliban showcased its seized U.S. military equipment in Kabul, three years after the chaotic withdrawal, as reported by Planet Chronicle Digital on Wednesday.

When I hear "Taliban," the first thing that comes to mind is the aggressive and horrific actions they have committed, as stated by Starbuck, who has been leading a social-media campaign to bring attention to Harley-Davidson's controversial far-left management practices.

The Taliban have been known to commit heinous acts such as raping women, murdering people without mercy, and intentionally killing Americans. They harbor a deep-seated hatred for our country. Thus, comparing oneself to them is inherently irrational.

A Harley-Davidson spokesperson responded with a statement to Planet Chronicle Digital.

The company stated that Mr. Zeitz's remarks demonstrate that he does not accept the characterization, as shown by his dedication to people, the planet, and profit, as well as his lifetime of work.

‘Breaks my heart’

Some long-time Harley-Davidson riders claim that Zeitz's leadership has led to a decline in the brand's image, which was once associated with American muscle, power, and the freedom of its open roads.

The CEO's leadership led to Harley's death, which breaks Vinny Terranova's heart, the owner of Pappy's Vintage Cycles in Sturgis, South Dakota, stated in a recent interview with Planet Chronicle Digital.

Harley-Davidson ended the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally two days early, according to Terranova, a well-known figure in the biker industry who ran Rocky Mountain Harley-Davidson in Colorado for over 40 years.

On Saturday, they dropped their tents and everything was gone. He said, 'Everything.'

"They were empty all week. Nobody showed up."

The official end of the rally was on Monday.

In his speech, Starbuck mentioned Zeitz's leadership of the "B Team," which he co-chaired with Richard Branson and other business and global leaders.

Zeitz stated, "We aim to challenge conventional capitalism and redefine it."

Some long-time Harley-Davidson riders, who have devoted their hearts and souls to the brand, believe the redefined Harley has become heartless.

"Horseshoe" Johnny Henning, a longtime Harley rider, told Planet Chronicle Digital by phone from Sturgis that the biggest problem is not just the "woke" nonsense.

"The main issue is that they have lost their connection with humans. This is the most accurate description."

Zeitz's comparison to the Taliban is evident, according to Starbuck.

The influencer stated that the Taliban is willing to go to great lengths to achieve their objectives when examining the comparison in more detail.

"Absolutely anything.

He stressed that the Taliban would go to any lengths to accomplish their objectives.