The Backlash and Debate That Followed

In her post, O’Donnell encouraged participants to avoid making up for lost purchases before or after the protest, claiming it would weaken the intended economic impact. She urged supporters to only buy essentials from local, community-owned stores during that time. “This helps with sustained impact and keeps our money out of the mega businesses’ pockets,” the post read.

However, public response was divided. Many commenters questioned whether the blackout would hurt ordinary people more than large corporations. One user wrote, “That’s so nice of you to pay my rent and car note since my check will be short a week.” Another pointed out, “A lot of small biz will suffer with a week of no sales. Maybe not even be able to pay rent or employees.”

Others supported the idea, viewing it as a chance to make a statement against corporate influence. One commenter said, “I can use a vacay… I’ve cancelled Spotify and switched from AT&T. I refuse to make these billionaires richer.”

While opinions varied, O’Donnell’s “mass blackout” call undeniably sparked a nationwide debate — not just about politics, but about who truly bears the cost when protest meets economics.