A judge has dismissed a lawsuit filed by The Woke Ginger, a prominent liberal social media personality who claimed he was fired after criticizing a local business’s cooperation with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
The creator, whose real name is Justin Kralemann, has nearly 750,000 Instagram followers. His content promotes liberal causes and frequently mocks Donald Trump and Republican politicians.
Kralemann sued his former employer, Food Outreach Inc., in March. He alleged the nonprofit dismissed him in February because of comments he made about the influential Taylor family.
The family controls Enterprise Holdings, the parent company of 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 for providing vehicles to ICE.
St. Louis City SC had also faced criticism from supporters over a policy barring 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 criticizing the Taylors and Enterprise.
He also highlighted the family’s political giving, which he said totaled $400,000 during the 2024 election cycle, with 67 percent going to Republican candidates.
The Woke Ginger, whose real name is Justin Kralemann, has lost his lawsuit against former employer Food Outreach Inc. after alleging he was fired over criticism of businesses linked to the Taylor family and their cooperation with ICE
Justin Kralemann has nearly 750,000 Instagram followers, where he promotes liberal causes and pokes fun at Donald Trump and Republicans
The lawsuit contended that Food Outreach Inc. fired Kralemann because one of its board executives also worked for 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 is Enterprise’s senior director of development and strategic initiatives.
Kralemann argued that his termination violated Missouri law because it was retaliation for his political speech.
Enterprise has repeatedly denied playing any role in the decision to terminate Kralemann.
Joan Moriarty, a judge on the St. Louis City Circuit Court, dismissed the case Thursday.
Moriarty said the central issue was not Kralemann’s political expression itself, but his public criticism of a major Food Outreach Inc. donor.
“It is clear to the court that plaintiff was terminated as a result of publicly criticizing donors and board members of defendant,” she wrote.
Kralemann sued Food Outreach Inc. in March, claiming he was dismissed the previous month after criticizing the powerful Taylor family, which controls Enterprise Holdings
The Taylor family also holds a majority stake in Major League Soccer’s St. Louis City SC
The judge found that Kralemann’s large online following and his role as the “face” of Food Outreach Inc.’s program created an obligation to protect the nonprofit’s public image.
“His criticism of any donor, even related to a minor choice of said donor, would have a significantly negative impact,” Moriarty 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.
Our News Outlet has contacted Food Outreach Inc. for comment.
