Overview

• Starbucks issued a formal clarification stating customers may request Charlie Kirk’s name on orders and said it is following up with store teams.
• A TikTok filmed in Yucaipa, California showed a barista refusing to write “Charlie Kirk,” citing a rule against political names, which drove heavy online reaction and negative Yelp reviews.
• The company said reviews of timestamped footage in recent cases found critical cup messages were not written by employees and were likely added after handoff, including at a Norwood Park, Chicago store that briefly closed.
• Starbucks acknowledged past confusion on the floor as some baristas believed political names were barred, and it reiterated that prohibitions apply to slogans or offensive phrases presented as names.
• Supporters continue organizing memorial orders of Kirk’s preferred Mint Majesty tea and circulating petitions urging Starbucks to name the drink in his honor.