Starbucks responds to controversy over Charlie Kirk name request on cup | indy100

Charlie Kirk's Wife Erika Named New CEO of Turning Point USA, Who …

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Starbucks has issued a response after a TikTok showing a barista refusing to write Charlie Kirk’s name on a cup went viral.

Since Kirk's death last week, his supporters have been finding ways to honour his memory. In one viral clip, a customer turned to Starbucks to order Kirk’s favourite drink, a Mint Majesty tea with two honeys.

When asked for a name, the customer replied: "The name is Charlie Kirk."

The barista responded: "We can’t do political names, but it [the register] didn’t even ask for a name to begin with so it’s going to be $3.75."

After questioning the decision, the woman was told it was considered political and offered the alternative of simply writing "Charlie".

"Forget it. I don’t want it," the customer hit back.

Starbucks has since broken its silence in a statement, reading: "There are no restrictions on customers using Charlie Kirk’s name on their order, and we are following up with our team."

@valerielewis292
Today my husband walked into this Starbucks to order Charlie Kirk's drink, when they asked for his name he said "Charlie Kirk" she said, "pick another name" he asked why? she said "we don't do politics here" my husband didn't mention anything political, it was Charlie Kirk's name. She refused to write the name or say it. The barista walked over to my husband and handed him the drinks instead of using the name "Charlie" She is the one who brought up "politics" if she would have said "okay' then written the name, no politics would have been mentioned. I went in a few hours later.... here's the video 📷 #iamcharliekirk #prayforus🙏 #turningpointusa🇺🇸 @The Charlie Kirk Show @Turning Point USA

When Starbucks released the statement, former New York Mayor and Trump lawyer Rudy Giuliani reshared it in celebration.

"UPDATE: STARBUCKS EMPLOYEES MUST WRITE CHARLIE KIRK’S NAME," he wrote.

It didn't take long for his tweet to be flooded with responses, with one reading: "Republicans' priorities are so f***ing weird."

Another quipped: "The weirdest thing about all this is the fact it's being done by people who are pro-Kirk as a tribute - sounds to me like something you'd do if you were taking the p***."

Meanwhile, a third simply penned: "Hey, cool, but my family can't afford groceries."

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