- The CEO of a San Francisco tech startup was caught on camera aiming a racist rant at an Asian family at a California restaurant over the July Fourth weekend.
- Solid8 CEO Michael Lofthouse can be seen and heard saying "Trump's gonna f--- you" and "you f------ Asian piece of s---."
- One of the family members posted the one-minute video on Instagram with a caption describing the experience.
- "The surfacing of racists is so prevalent right now, even in such an ethnically/culturally diverse and liberal state like California, because Trump HIMSELF uses his position to incite racial tension and to promote aggression towards POC, foreigners, and immigrants," Jordan Chan wrote.
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The CEO of a San Francisco tech company leveled a racist attack at an Asian family while dining in an outdoor area of a California restaurant over the Fourth of July weekend.
Michael Lofthouse of Solid8, an IT firm based in the Bay Area, was filmed on camera by one of the family members, Jordan Chan, at the Lucia restaurant at the Bernardus Lodge and Spa in Carmel Valley near Monterey. He apparently began his offensive remarks before Chan even started filming — you can hear her say "say it again. Oh, now you're shy?"
"Trump's gonna f--- you," Lofthouse is then filmed remarking before saying the family needs to leave. He then says "you f------ Asian piece of s---."
Chan spoke to ABC7News about the encounter and also posted about her experience on Instagram. Per the post, they were celebrating a birthday at the restaurant at the time of the incident with relatives of another family, including her uncle, Raymond Orosa, who told the news outlet that he and his wife have lived in the US for almost 26 years.
"The fact that Donald Trump is our president (i.e. THE MOST POWERFUL MAN IN THE WORLD) gives racists a platform and amplifies voices of hate. The surfacing of racists is so prevalent right now, even in such an ethnically/culturally diverse and liberal state like California, because Trump HIMSELF uses his position to incite racial tension and to promote aggression towards POC, foreigners, and immigrants," Chan wrote.
She also posted that Lofthouse at one point said to "go back to whatever f------ Asian country you're from."
The video began picking up traction online. When actor Patton Oswalt retweeted the footage, a commenter pointed out that Lofthouse is British. Indeed, he seems to have an apparent accent in the video. Singer Kelly Clarkson also retweeted the video.
Could everyone PLEASE stop sharing this video of Michael Lofthouse? He’s the founder & CEO of Solid8, a tech company based in San Francisco. If it goes viral it could hurt Michael Lofthouse and Solid8, his company. Let’s all be nice to Michael Lofthouse and Solid8. https://t.co/WH7MKrWnzQ
— Patton Oswalt (@pattonoswalt) July 7, 2020
An employee at the restaurant swiftly and sternly intervened, telling Lofthouse to get out. "You do not talk to our guests like that, they are valued guests," the worker is recorded saying.
Solid8 did not immediately respond to Business Insider's request for comment.
In a statement provided to ABC7News, Lofthouse said "My behavior in the video is appalling. This was clearly a moment where I lost control and made incredibly hurtful and divisive comments. I would like to deeply apologize to the Chan family. I can only imagine the stress and pain they feel. I was taught to respect people of all races, and I will take the time to reflect on my actions and work to better understand the inequality that so many of those around me face every day."
The family told ABC7News that they think he's "just saving face."
Chan posted another screenshot to Instagram Monday showing a profile that appears to belong to Lofthouse. The CEO responded to a user defending the family with "Asian f---. Come near me or my people and u r f------ dead." The profile is currently set to private.
Chan also advocated for viewers of her Instagram post to vote in the upcoming election.
"We need change!" she wrote.
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