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Starbucks barista at Kroger fired after writing 'racists fav drink' on Charlie Kirk order

A Starbucks employee in Middletown, Ohio, was fired after writing a hateful message on a cup for a customer ordering Charlie Kirk's favorite drink, company and Kroger confirmed.

  • Earlier this month, supporters launched a Change.org petition on Sept. 14 to urge Starbucks to add Charlie Kirk's, conservative activist and Turning Point USA founder, favored drink to menus nationwide.
  • On September 10, Charlie Kirk was fatally shot at Utah Valley University, Orem, Utah, and he frequently ordered a Mint Majesty tea with 2 Honeys to protect his speaking voice.
  • On Tuesday, a TikTok video poster shared a clip from a Yucaipa, California café that drew over 40,000 likes and nearly 8,000 comments, while Starbucks partner guidance and company statement clarified customers may use names like Charlie Kirk.
  • Kroger confirmed the employee was terminated and Starbucks labeled the writing unacceptable after Autumn Perkins, Ohio customer, reported the disparaging message on her cup.
  • Union pushback highlighted tensions over cup-writing rules as the petition organizer framed honoring Kirk as respecting faith and family, while Starbucks Workers United disputed the company’s official cup-writing policy.
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A Starbucks employee has been fired after writing a 'nonsense' message on a cup after a customer asked for 'Charlie Kirk drink'

·Manchester, United Kingdom
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IBTimes broke the news in United States on Thursday, September 18, 2025.
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