Backlash Against Idaho Frozen Yogurt Shop Over Tribute to Charlie Kirk
Small businesses in Idaho are facing criticism after a local frozen yogurt shop, Groveberries, honored Turning Point USA founder Charlie Kirk. The shop has started placing a sticker featuring Kirk’s photo on their cups, with the years “1993-2025” marked beneath his name.
Sara and Chase Gibson, the shop owners and parents of three, shared with Fox News that they have received death threats as part of the backlash toward their tribute to Kirk.
“We’re experiencing a lot of hatred, including from those who wish we were dead,” Sarah Gibson expressed. She mentioned that the surge in community support was a response to the negativity they initially encountered.
“It’s heartwarming to see how supportive our community has been,” she added. “Their backing for Charlie and what he represents shines through the negative remarks.” The shop has received numerous harsh emails and hostile reviews on social media.
One email included a cruel sentiment: “You’re sick… the man is dead, thank God for that. You guys should be ashamed.” Another message advised them not to “make a black and white Charlie Kirk recipe,” while one Facebook review accused the owners of being “white supremacists.”
“I simply don’t like the mix of fascism in yogurt,” remarked another user. Contrarily, someone joked, “Imagine using the death of a fascist to raise prices and cut off other fascists. I think I actually support that.”
In response to the flood of negative comments, Chase Gibson is considering reaching out to social media platforms to remove some of the hurtful backlash. He emphasized that this reveals how some individuals choose to engage with those they disagree with.
Despite the backlash, Gibson admitted that it has only strengthened their resolve and encouraged more community support. “Charlie Kirk was a martyr for his faith in Jesus Christ,” she emphasized, explaining his commitment to sharing the truth, no matter the cost.
Sarah Gibson believes that Kirk’s legacy deserves respect and plans on keeping his message alive. “We will not allow his voice to be silenced,” she affirmed. “As a society, we ought to keep his message alive.”
Political commentator Stephanie Hamill reflected on how the outpouring of anger over Kirk’s death affected her deeply. However, she found solace in the small gestures of kindness, like the tribute cups honoring him during her visit to the shop with family on a Saturday evening.
Gibson shared that she had opened Groveberries in 2021, post-pandemic, and maintains that their faith is the core of their family and business. She intends to keep the tribute cups available as long as they can, mentioning having another large order of Kirk stickers on the way.
The shop is also planning to track sales and contribute to Charlie Kirk’s widow, Erika Kirk, for what has been referred to as the “Blueberry Budget,” a term she used in a statement following her husband’s tragic death.
