In a recent incident at a Target store in Chico, California, a nurse named Michelea Ponce berated a 72-year-old employee, Jeanie Beeman, for wearing a red “Freedom” T-shirt in honor of assassinated conservative icon Charlie Kirk.
Now, the mother of the unhinged leftist activist has put out a statement apologizing to Beeman and condemning her daughter’s actions.
As first reported by The Gateway Pundit, the confrontation, captured on video by Ponce herself and posted to TikTok, shows her verbally attacking Beeman, who was stocking shelves, for wearing the shirt, accusing her of supporting a “racist” and calling her “f**king stupid.”
This woman on TikTok filmed herself harassing and cussing out an older lady at work for wearing a Charlie Kirk shirt
cc @JackPosobiec pic.twitter.com/4OwOuHzxmH
— Cassandra MacDonald (@CassandraRules) December 16, 2025
A GiveSendGo fundraiser launched by this reporter to send Beeman on vacation has now raised over $250,000.
The incident went so viral that Ponce’s employer, Enloe Health, had to hold a press conference to beg people to stop calling and demanding her termination. They did not say whether or not she was still employed.
The CEO and President of Enloe Health, Mike Wiltermood, claimed they have received over 6,000 calls from outraged citizens.
“We’re compelled, obviously, to respect people’s civil rights, and there is the law… We certainly encourage people to exercise their civil rights as they see fit, especially in their off-duty hours. But we also hope that people will have restrained civility as they do so,” he stated.
Ponce herself has also released a statement that is not written in the way she speaks, begging for forgiveness after the Chico Police announced they have dropped their investigation into the incident.
It read, in part, “I did not handle the situation the way I should have. I allowed my emotions to take over instead of choosing restraint and empathy. That was my failure, and I own it. I regret my actions, and I am genuinely sorry for the harm they caused. I wish I can go back and undo what happened, but I can acknowledge it honestly, learn from it, and commit to doing better moving forward. Again, I apologize to Jeanie and I hope that she and the community can forgive me.”
Michelea Ponce’s mother, Debbie Silvey, sent me a written statement this morning in my email that she wanted me to share with the community regarding the Target situation that involved her daughter and Jeanie Beeman:
“First, I’d like to start off by providing my deepest…
— Keith Jouganatos (@KeithJouganatos) December 19, 2025
Silvey clearly does not share her daughter’s political views, as her Facebook profile is filled with support for law enforcement and proud patriotism.
Ponce’s mother’s statement read in full:
“First, I’d like to start off by providing my deepest apologies to Jeanie. Jeanie, I am deeply sorry that you were treated in such a horrific way. No one should ever be treated in such a way. The way you conducted yourself, should be an inspiration to many.
Unfortunately, my daughter did not conduct herself in any type of an appropriate way. I am mortified by her behavior. Myself and my family do not agree with, nor approve of Michelea’s expressed beliefs or behavior. As a mother, it breaks my heart to see my child treat another person with such destain. I do not condone Michelea’s actions.
As a result of this horrific incident, myself and other family members, even those who have no relationship with Michelea, have received harassing and threatening phone calls and messages from the public.
I would like the public to understand that what one family member does, should not reflect on others. I understand that Michelea issued an apology, and I would hope that she is truly and deeply remorseful for her behavior.
I would hope that she and everyone witnessing this can grow to do better and treat each other with only kindness and respect.”
Beeman informed The Gateway Pundit that Target is standing by her, that her manager has since called to check on her, and that even with her massive fundraising haul, she may not leave her job because she loves everyone there so much. She expressed enormous gratitude to everyone who has supported her.
Her daughter also spoke to The Gateway Pundit, explaining that Monday was the 12th anniversary of her husband’s suicide, after a long health battle and oncoming dementia. She said the day is always very hard for her mother, so the timing of the outpouring of support for her was “uncanny.”
She also said that her mother is beloved in the community and that it hurt her to see the video because her mother is such a kind woman.
Beeman has stated repeatedly that she does not want to see Ponce fired or harmed because “two wrongs don’t make a right.”
My full conversation with Chico Target employee Jeanie Beeman will air tomorrow night at 4:30 PM on @KRCR7 pic.twitter.com/a7hMiHKhHH
— Keith Jouganatos (@KeithJouganatos) December 18, 2025
The fun and surprises for Beeman are not ending with her retirement fund.
Stay tuned to The Gateway Pundit for updates!
The post Target Bully’s Patriotic Mother Issues Statement Apologizing to Jeanie, Says She Does Not Condone Her Daughter’s ‘Horrific’ Actions appeared first on The Gateway Pundit.