Massachusetts Biz Owner Faces Backlash After Smiling, Posing With Trump

AGAWAM, MA — A prominent business owner in Western Massachusetts is facing a firestorm of backlash after he attended President Donald Trump's signing of an executive order changing the Affordable Care Act last week.

Dave Ratner, who owns the small chain Dave's Soda and Pet City, was seen in an Associated Press photo smiling behind the president. Trump said the order would create cheaper insurance and give businesses the ability to offer more options; critics have called the options less comprehensive.

Ratner said he was "misinformed" about the purpose of the trip to the White House, reports Western Mass. News.

"People think that I went and I'm in favor of dismantling Obamacare," Rather told MassLive. "I'm certainly not in favor of all the other stuff — it's stupid — and neither is the association. I wasn't duped, I just never would have gone had I known what the true intention was."

Ratner said he destroyed the brand he built "in one day," reports the Globe. Ratner attended with other members of the Retailers Association of Massachusetts, arguing the group was blindsided with the executive order signing.

In a statement he posted on his business's Facebook page, Ratner wrote:

Dear Loyal Club Davers

I want to apologize. I am sorry went to the Whitehouse because I don't want it to appear that I support Trump ripping apart Obama Care. I do not. I had NO idea Trump was adding all the awful changes to the executive order. I NEVER WOULD HAVE ATTENDED IF I KNEW.

I completely understand how you feel.

All the press was told before hand was he was reversing the Association rule which will once again make it possible for Associations to offer group insurance rates to their members.

That is a good thing for millions of employees and owners of small businesses. The rest of the changes were sprung on us.

I stand with you and I am completely against what he is proposing. I was there to support small business.
Dave

Dave's Soda and Pet City is located in seven towns and cities, all in Western Massachusetts. The store sells pet supplies and small animals and offers adoptions and dog training.

Photo Credit: Evan Vucci/AP Photos