What the enemy meant for evil, God is using for good.
That is the only way to describe the incredible turnaround for “Jeanie,” an elderly Target employee in Chico, California, who was subjected to a vile, unhinged rant by a leftist bully simply for wearing a red Charlie Kirk “Freedom” shirt, first reported in the media by Gateway Pundit.
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The harasser, identified as Michelea Ponce (known on TikTok as @motherofballers), thought she was exposing a “racist.” Instead, she exposed her own intolerance and turned Jeanie Beeman into a national hero of grace and grit.
The Incident
It all started when Ponce approached Jeanie at her workplace, berating her with unwarranted fury. Why? Because Jeanie had the late Charlie Kirk’s name on her red shirt.
Ponce didn’t just verbally assault Jeanie; she filmed the encounter without Jeanie’s consent—a move that is likely illegal under California law. In the video, while Ponce cussed and raged, Jeanie displayed the kind of self-control and kindness that is becoming all too rare. She didn’t scream back. She didn’t escalate. She simply told her bully, “Have a nice day.”
WATCH PART OF THE INCIDENT BELOW:
The Backlash
Ponce posted the video thinking she would get clout. Instead, she got a reality check. Police are now investigating the harassment, and Ponce’s workplace, Enloe Health, has confirmed they are conducting their own internal investigation into her conduct.
The Blessing
But the real story isn’t the bully; it’s the blessing that followed.
Conservative journalist Cassandra (maiden name Fairbanks) MacDonald organized a fundraiser on GiveSendGo to send Jeanie on a vacation, buy Christmas gifts, or use the money however she sees fit. The initial goal was modest, but the internet had other plans.
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“On Monday in Chico, California, an elderly Target employee found herself at the center of national attention after being filmed by someone we can only describe as unhinged,” MacDonald wrote. “Now, we are hoping to raise enough money so that she can afford a much-needed vacation. A time for her to relax, recharge and just forget about the ugliness.”
As of today, more than $222,000 has poured in for Jeanie.
And, get this, Jeanie’s manager at Target is standing by her, and she loves her coworkers so much that she doesn’t know if she’ll retire.
Jeanie says the timing of all this is uncanny.
“Jeanie has not had the easiest life,” MacDonald said on X. “Monday, the day the fundraiser was launched for her, was the 12th anniversary of her husband’s death by suicide, after a long battle with illness and oncoming dementia. She now passionately works to raise awareness of suicide prevention options.”
Invite to AmFest
The blessings didn’t stop there. Turning Point USA, the organization founded by the legendary Charlie Kirk, announced they invited Jeanie to AmFest this week to recognize her on stage, honoring her courage and her stand for freedom if she can make it.
If someone can find this lady, we will fly her to Amfest and put her on stage. https://t.co/gteZLB6MXR
— Tyler Bowyer (@tylerbowyer) December 16, 2025
Jeanie told the Gateway Pundit she cannot attened the event but “was very appreciative of all the support and asked that we ‘send hugs’ to everyone.”
WATCH PART OF HER INTERVIEW BELOW:
The Apology
Ponce released a lengthy apology to Action News Now — and if she wrote it, she misspelled Jeanie’s name:
“I want to take full responsibility for my actions and say clearly and sincerely that I was wrong. I behaved badly, and I regret it deeply.
I want to directly apologize to Jeannie. I am truly sorry for approaching you at your workplace and putting you in an uncomfortable and unfair position. You did not deserve that, and my behavior was wrong.
I also apologize to Jeannie’s family for the stress and attention my actions caused. I apologize to Target as her employer, I apologize to Enloe, and I apologize to the Chico community. I understand that what I did reflected poorly on myself and disrupted a sense of safety and respect that should exist in a workplace and in our community.
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.”
I hope and pray it’s a genuine apology and that she truly learns from Jeanie.
The Lesson
Bullying is never okay, and Jeanie showed us exactly how to handle it: with grace, truth, and a smile. She stood her ground without losing her cool.
In fact, she told Action News Now she doesn’t think Ponce should be fired over the situation.
“I don’t think that that’s right,” Beeman said. “Two wrongs don’t make a right, you know, she wronged me, but I don’t want to wrong her, or I don’t want her – her wrong, because it’s not going to make it right. That was her opinion, she – but she’s the one that put it on Facebook or put it on – on that. So you know, but, I really wouldn’t want to see her, someone lose their job over it.”
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MacDonald told Jeanie that she’s the internet’s grandma now and I couldn’t agree more!
To Jeanie: We hope you enjoy your vacation, your Christmas, and the love from thousands of patriots who have your back.
Caleb Parke is an independent journalist. Follow him on X, Facebook, Instagram, and connect with him at calebparke.com.
