An Ohio woman was left shocked after ordering Charlie Kirk’s favourite Starbucks drink and finding a derogatory message written on the cup.
Autumn Perkins, of Middletown, Ohio, had visited a Starbucks inside a Kroger store and requested a Mint Majesty with two honeys. When she received her order, an employee had written “racist’s fav drink” on the side of the cup, reported Fox News.
“It’s time for people to stop this nonsense,” Perkins was quoted as saying by Fox News Digital.
After reporting the incident to the store manager, she learned that the employee admitted to writing the message and was subsequently fired. Perkins said, “I would agree that people should be fired if they're doing something like this. Actions have repercussions. I feel like Charlie stood for respect — we don't have to agree on everything. We can disagree on a lot of things, but we respect each other. We can't communicate and grow if we're disrespecting each other”.
Starbucks clarified that writing negative or offensive messages on cups violates company policy.
A spokesperson said, “Writing this on a cup is unacceptable, and we have clear policies that prohibit negative messages to help preserve a welcoming environment. This Starbucks location is licensed and operated by Kroger. We understand that this associate was terminated by Kroger”.
Kroger confirmed the firing, adding, “This behavior does not reflect Kroger’s values”.
The incident comes amid nationwide attention on Charlie Kirk, the Turning Point USA founder who was fatally shot on September 10 while speaking at Utah Valley University. His death has drawn tributes from US President Donald Trump, Vice President JD Vance, FBI chief Kash Patel and widespread public mourning.
Perkins said she would no longer patronise Starbucks following the incident, adding: “I don't intend to spend another penny at Starbucks — and as far as I'm concerned, neither will my children or anybody else in my family who will listen to me”.
The episode also echoes a separate incident in California, where a Starbucks barista initially refused to write Charlie Kirk’s name on a cup, citing company policy against political content.
Starbucks later clarified that actual names, including Charlie Kirk, are allowed, distinguishing them from political slogans or offensive phrases.
Autumn Perkins, of Middletown, Ohio, had visited a Starbucks inside a Kroger store and requested a Mint Majesty with two honeys. When she received her order, an employee had written “racist’s fav drink” on the side of the cup, reported Fox News.
“It’s time for people to stop this nonsense,” Perkins was quoted as saying by Fox News Digital.
After reporting the incident to the store manager, she learned that the employee admitted to writing the message and was subsequently fired. Perkins said, “I would agree that people should be fired if they're doing something like this. Actions have repercussions. I feel like Charlie stood for respect — we don't have to agree on everything. We can disagree on a lot of things, but we respect each other. We can't communicate and grow if we're disrespecting each other”.
Starbucks clarified that writing negative or offensive messages on cups violates company policy.
A spokesperson said, “Writing this on a cup is unacceptable, and we have clear policies that prohibit negative messages to help preserve a welcoming environment. This Starbucks location is licensed and operated by Kroger. We understand that this associate was terminated by Kroger”.
Kroger confirmed the firing, adding, “This behavior does not reflect Kroger’s values”.
The incident comes amid nationwide attention on Charlie Kirk, the Turning Point USA founder who was fatally shot on September 10 while speaking at Utah Valley University. His death has drawn tributes from US President Donald Trump, Vice President JD Vance, FBI chief Kash Patel and widespread public mourning.
Perkins said she would no longer patronise Starbucks following the incident, adding: “I don't intend to spend another penny at Starbucks — and as far as I'm concerned, neither will my children or anybody else in my family who will listen to me”.
The episode also echoes a separate incident in California, where a Starbucks barista initially refused to write Charlie Kirk’s name on a cup, citing company policy against political content.
Starbucks later clarified that actual names, including Charlie Kirk, are allowed, distinguishing them from political slogans or offensive phrases.
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