Starbucks Honors Charlie Kirk Amid Controversy

In a recent move, Starbucks instructed employees to write Charlie Kirk’s name on coffee cups if customers requested it. This is in memory of the Turning Point USA co-founder, who tragically lost his life last week at an event in Utah.

A previous TikTok video surfaced where Kirk jokingly talked about his love for a specific drink, mentioning that he often drank it throughout the day. He shared that his go-to order was a “Mint Ma Under tea with two honey,” which he felt was essential for keeping his voice intact.

In the wake of his death, many have been ordering his favorite drink in his honor. However, a recent incident at a Starbucks in Yukaipa, California, sparked controversy. A woman asked for Kirk’s name to be written on her cup, but the barista refused, stating that they couldn’t write a “political name.” She suggested using just “Charlie,” which the customer declined.

Starbucks addressed the situation in a statement, emphasizing the importance of personal connections with customers. The company clarified that while most patrons use their names, they aim to respect those who want to use different names, including Kirk’s. However, they also noted instances in the past where some had attempted to misuse the name system for inappropriate phrases, leading to guidelines for staff to encourage the use of proper names instead.

In an update on Wednesday, Starbucks confirmed that customers are indeed free to use Charlie Kirk’s name for their orders without limitations.

On social media, there’s a growing movement encouraging friends and supporters to order Kirk’s drink on what would have been his 32nd birthday, October 14th.

Additionally, fans are pushing for a petition on Change.org to have Starbucks officially name the drink “Kirk Special” or “Charlie Kirk.” The petition has gathered nearly 3,800 signatures so far.

One supporter shared, “We hadn’t been to Starbucks in over eight years, but we’ll happily go back for the drinks Charlie loved.”