Ohio woman finds racist message on Starbucks cup tied to Charlie Kirk drink; employee fired
Customer says a Kroger-operated Starbucks inside Middletown store had 'racist's fav drink' written on her Charlie Kirk beverage; both Starbucks and Kroger say the employee was terminated.
An Ohio woman who ordered Charlie Kirk’s go-to Starbucks drink Sunday evening found a hateful message written on the cup. Autumn Perkins, of Middletown, visited a Starbucks inside a Kroger store to order a mint majesty with two honeys. When she received the cup, she saw the words 'racist's fav drink' written on the side, Perkins told Fox News Digital.
Perkins said the employee admitted writing the message after she spoke to the store manager. Kroger confirmed the firing in an email Monday to Fox News Digital, saying the action does not reflect the company's values. A Starbucks spokesperson told Fox News Digital that writing this on a cup is unacceptable and that the location is licensed and operated by Kroger; the associate was terminated by Kroger.
Perkins told Fox News Digital that she believes Charlie Kirk stood for respect. "I feel like Charlie stood for respect — we don’t have to agree on everything. We can disagree on a lot of things, but we respect each other," she said. "We can’t communicate and grow if we’re disrespecting each other."
Perkins said she does not plan to return to Starbucks, adding that she wouldn’t spend another penny at the chain and that her family will hear about it as well. "I don’t intend to spend another penny at Starbucks — and as far as I’m concerned, neither will my children or anybody else in my family who will listen to me." The episode has drawn attention to how private businesses enforce conduct standards in licensed locations and to the broader debate over political and discriminatory messaging in public settings.
Starbucks and Kroger issued statements underscoring policy and values. A Starbucks spokesperson said the company has clear policies that prohibit negative messages to help preserve a welcoming environment, and noted that the store is licensed and operated by Kroger; the associate was terminated by Kroger. Kroger, in turn, said the behavior does not reflect Kroger’s values and confirmed the termination in its communication with Fox News Digital.
The incident has surfaced amid ongoing conversations about civility, hate speech, and political expressions in consumer spaces. While Charlie Kirk’s name appears in connection with the drink, the company’s actions appear to be a human resources matter between Kroger and the employee. The case illustrates how quickly a private business’s handling of a sensational moment can become a broader talking point in U.S. politics and culture.