SAN FRANCISCO (KRON) — Outgoing BART Board Director Debora Allen had an fascinating parting reward for colleagues at her remaining assembly. At a board assembly Thursday, Allen, who determined to not run for re-election gave out MAGA hats to her fellow board members.
“What do you buy San Francisco Democratic politicians that seem to have everything they need?” Allen requested on the assembly. “Well, I took a while, but I think I came up with something that you all might need over the next four years. You might not, but just in case. If things don’t go well in 2026 on the ballot initiative to get taxpayers to fill those $350 million of annual deficits, I know you all don’t think you will need this, but I bought you each one of these,” she stated as she produced one of many hats.
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The hats weren’t the standard crimson MAGA hat, typically sported by Trump and his supporters, however quite the “dark MAGA” hat, typically worn by Elon Musk.
(AP Picture/Alex Brandon)
“This is the dark MAGA hat and just in case when you are walking the halls of Congress, I have one here for each of you with a personal letter.”
Video exhibiting the response of her colleagues appeared to indicate a combination of bemusement and uncertainty about the right way to proceed.
“I’m sorry, I lost my train of thought,” one board member might be heard saying.
Allen later tweeted in regards to the incident, calling the media consideration over the stunt “unexpected,” happening to say that feedback on one story indicating “a lot of support” for change within the Bay Space.
“Given BART exhausts the $ billions in federal and state emergency funds in early 2026, yet expects to face ongoing $350M+ annual operating deficits far beyond, I thought they may need a backup ‘lifeline’, just in case Bay Area taxpayers say no to increased taxes,” Allen stated in a separate tweet. “So I gave them each this lifeline tool, just in case.”
Allen, in response to the San Francisco Chronicle, has a historical past of taking conservative stances and stepping into “tense standoffs” with Democratic colleagues.
