What started as a lighthearted detail about Charlie Kirk’s favorite Starbucks order has now become the center of a heated controversy. Kirk, the late conservative activist and founder of Turning Point USA, was known for his preference for Mint Majesty Tea — a caffeine-free blend of peppermint, spearmint, and lemon verbena. Supporters began ordering the drink in his memory, with some even posting photos of their cups online as a tribute.
But a recent viral photo has shifted the conversation. The image shows a Starbucks cup labeled “Gr Mint Majesty” with honey blend — but above the printed sticker, the barista had handwritten a message: “racists fav drink.” The phrase has ignited a storm of reactions, revealing once again how political divides in the United States can infiltrate even the most ordinary daily rituals, like grabbing a cup of tea.
From Tribute to Flashpoint
For many of Kirk’s followers, Mint Majesty became a small but meaningful symbol of remembrance. Ordering his favorite drink felt like a personal way to honor his life and work, a ritual that humanized a figure often seen only through the lens of politics.
Yet the viral cup demonstrates how quickly those symbols can become politicized. What was intended as a moment of private comfort or communal memory has, in this case, been turned into an act of ridicule. The words scrawled on the cup highlight how polarizing Kirk’s legacy remains — even extending to something as seemingly trivial as a Starbucks order.
Divided Reactions
Reaction to the photo has been sharply divided along familiar lines. Supporters of Kirk and Turning Point USA expressed outrage, calling the message disrespectful not only to Kirk’s memory but also to the customer who received the cup. To them, it represents an inappropriate mixing of personal political views with workplace responsibilities.
On the other side, critics of Kirk shared the photo as a biting piece of commentary, arguing that public figures — especially polarizing ones — inevitably inspire both admiration and backlash. For them, the barista’s note was less about tea and more about sending a pointed message on Kirk’s politics and influence.
Starbucks in the Crosshairs
The incident also raises questions for Starbucks as a company. Known for its progressive brand image, the coffee giant has often found itself at the center of cultural debates, from holiday cup designs to employee activism. If this message was indeed written by a barista, it puts Starbucks in a difficult position: balancing employee expression with customer service standards. The company has not issued a public statement on this specific incident, but historically it has disciplined workers for personal comments made on customer cups.
A Symbol of Larger Divides
At its core, the controversy surrounding Mint Majesty Tea shows how deeply cultural and political divides now run. What should have been an ordinary tea order became a canvas for political commentary. For Kirk’s supporters, the cup is another example of disrespect toward a man they admire. For his critics, it is a sharp reminder of how polarizing his presence was in American politics.
Whether one sees the message as offensive or as satire, the fact that a Starbucks cup can spark national conversation speaks to the moment we’re living in — one where even a drink order can become a flashpoint in the culture wars.