Starbucks CEO Brian Niccol is defending the company&#8217;s high-priced drinks, arguing that customers are willing to pay for what he calls a “luxury experience.” 
Speaking The Wall Street Journal&#8217;s What&#8217;s News AM podcast, Niccol said Starbucks is performing well across income levels, even as some drinks approach $9.
“We’re doing really well with Gen Z and millennials, and then really had strong performance across all income cohorts,” Niccol said. “It can start with as little as $3 for a traditional cup of coffee. And then obviously you can build your way into all sorts of customized drinks that people love that move that ticket up.”
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When asked whether concerns about a so-called K-shaped economy could impact sales, Niccol said Starbucks isn&#8217;t seeing signs of strain. 
“What we’re seeing is people, they want to have a special experience, and regardless of what your income level is,&#8221; he said. &#8220;In some cases, you know, a $9 experience does feel like you’re splurging. And then, what that means  is we have to make it worthwhile, right?”
In other cases, he added, customers view Starbucks as an affordable premium option.
“They’re saying, ‘Well it’s less than $10 and I get a really premium experience,&#8217;” Niccol went on. “So, regardless of where you’re stationed in those income cohorts, we want to make that experience worth your while.”
Niccol also described a visit to Starbucks as “a moment of escapism,” adding that customers value consistency across price points.
“I think people actually really do appreciate knowing, “Hey, if this is a $3 cup of coffee or a $5 latte, I know I’m going to get a great experience for that $5 experience, I’m in,” he added.
Many commenters called the exec out of touch.
“This video just confirms how detached from reality those people are. [Starbucks] IS NOT a premium experience, nor is the coffee worth $9,” one person wrote. 
“I&#8217;ll pass on this premium experience,” another agreed.
A third commenter quipped, “Friends don’t let friends drink Starbucks.”

Oatmilk Latte

$9 Pitched As ‘Affordable Luxury’ And Americans Aren’t Buying It

Business

Coffee

Economy

Starbucks

US-ECONOMY-STARBUCKS-enterprises

The Insane Left Wing Law That Is Causing Another Mass Exodus. What Happens Next?

Bernie Sanders

Democratic Socialism

Democrats

Howard Schultz

Leftists

Matt Walsh

Opinion

Washington State

Starbucks founder Howard Schultz joins the growing list of billionaires moving to Florida — a move that is quickly becoming a trend. In past two months alone, Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg, Google CEO Sergey Brin, former Google CEO Larry Page, and now Howard Schultz have announced their migration to Miami. 
Schultz has lived in Seattle since 1979, where he built Starbucks into a global brand. The billionaire says he&#8217;s making the move in order to pursue his next adventure. 
“We [Schultz and his wife, Sheri Schultz] have moved to Miami for our next adventure together. We are enjoying the sunshine of South Florida and its allure to our kids on the East Coast as they raise families of their own,&#8221; he explained.
After 44 years in Seattle, Schultz — worth $6.6 billion — will settle into a <a href="https://www.forbes.com/sites/maryroeloffs/2026/03/11/starbucks-billionaire-howard-schultz-paid-44-million-for-florida-penthouse/">$44 million penthouse</a> at the Surf Club, Four Seasons Private Residences in Surfside, about fifteen miles from Miami. The five bedroom penthouse is 5,500 square feet and has a rooftop terrace. While his nonprofit, the Schultz Family Foundation, will remain in Seattle, his family office will relocate with him. 
Schultz’s announced his decision on the same day that the Washington State House of Representatives approved a new millionaire tax. The measure passed 52-46 on Wednesday and advanced to the Senate. If it passes, Washington will lose its status as one of the nine states without an income tax. The legislation would impose  a 9.9% tax on income for earners making above $1 million. Washington policymakers argue that only <a href="https://www.forbes.com/sites/nathangoldman/2026/03/11/washingtons-99-millionaire-tax-raises-fears-of-wealthy-exodus/">0.5%</a> of tax payers would be subject to the new levy. 
State Rep. Ed Orcutt, one of the 46 legislators who voted against the bill <a href="https://edorcutt.houserepublicans.wa.gov/2026/01/21/rep-ed-orcutt-explains-why-he-opposes-a-new-state-income-tax/">said</a>, “The problem is overspending. There is no tax or combination of taxes that can keep up with a legislature that continually overspends revenue.”
Schultz did not mention the tax in his announcement, much like Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos did not mention the Washington State <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2024/feb/13/jeff-bezos-florida-taxes#:~:text=But%20on%20Tuesday%20the%20financial%20news%20network,stocks%20or%20bonds%20of%20more%20than%20$250%2C000.">7%</a> capital gains tax — on sales of stocks and bonds exceeding $250,000 — when he decided in 2023 to leave Seattle for Miami. Like Schultz, Bezos cited only personal reasons.
In recent years, a growing number of CEOs have relocated from blue to red states. But while Schultz is moving to a red state, his political views lean left. In 2019, during a media tour for a potential 2020 Presidential run, Schultz said, &#8220;I should be paying more taxes. And more people who make this kind of revenue, and are of means, should be paying more taxes.&#8221;
That same night, Schultz also said, &#8220;No one wants to see him [Donald Trump] fired more than me.&#8221;
Starbucks is also relocating to the south — and to a red state as well. The company announced the move to Nashville, Tennessee, in the beginning of March describing it as part of a broader plan to expand across North America and “establish a strategic presence in the Southeast region of the United States.” 
Justin Owen, the President &amp; CEO of the think tank, Beacon Center of Tennessee, welcomed the decision. 
“We welcome all businesses to the free state of Tennessee. We encourage them to remember and embrace why they came here: our low tax, low regulation, pro-worker freedom environment,” Owen said.

Starbucks Holds Annual Shareholders Meeting

Starbucks Founder Howard Schultz Is Latest Billionaire To Move To Florida

Politics

Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier has filed <a href="https://aboutblaw.com/bknd">suit</a> against Starbucks, claiming they “used DEI to implement illegal race-based policies for hiring and advancement.”
“Using DEI as an excuse to hire, promote, or humiliate an employee based on race violates Florida&#8217;s civil rights law, and we just filed a lawsuit to hold Starbucks accountable,” he wrote on X.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">
Starbucks used DEI to implement illegal race-based policies for hiring and advancement. 
Using DEI as an excuse to hire, promote, or humiliate an employee based on race violates Florida&#39;s civil rights law, and we just filed a lawsuit to hold Starbucks accountable. <a href="https://t.co/e3pK0GguQ0">pic.twitter.com/e3pK0GguQ0</a>
&mdash; Attorney General James Uthmeier (@AGJamesUthmeier) <a href="https://twitter.com/AGJamesUthmeier/status/1998796682289365005?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 10, 2025</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
The suit claims Starbucks implemented policies and programs over the past five years that favor certain racial groups while discriminating against others, including white, Asian, and multiracial employees, in violation of Florida’s Civil Rights Act. The Attorney General emphasized that using DEI as justification for race-based hiring, promotion, or workplace treatment violates the state’s civil rights laws.
The lawsuit, filed in the circuit court of Florida’s 10th Judicial District, details multiple allegations. Starbucks is accused of establishing racial quotas and goals for hiring, paying employees differently based on race, tying executive compensation to race-based mentorship programs and retention of favored racial groups, and excluding certain races from networking and mentorship opportunities.
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Uthmeier notes that civil rights protections extend to all individuals, and promoting diversity does not excuse discrimination against any group. This legal challenge follows previous cases in which Starbucks faced liability for allegedly disfavoring nonminority employees, including a $25.6 million jury award to a white employee.
Starbucks, incorporated in Washington with a certificate to operate in Florida, employs 381,000 people nationwide and operates 934 stores in Florida, including at least one in Highlands County. The suit seeks declaratory and injunctive relief, damages, and civil penalties under the Florida Civil Rights Act, which prohibits employers from discriminating in hiring, compensation, promotions, or other employment conditions based on race. Florida law mirrors federal civil rights protections, which also recognize “reverse discrimination” against nonminority groups as unlawful.
The complaint outlines specific discriminatory practices at Starbucks, including:
<ol>
<li data-start="2180" data-end="2368">Race-based hiring: Starbucks has publicly set hiring goals for people of color in retail, distribution, and corporate roles and tied executive performance to achieving these targets.</li>
<li data-start="2372" data-end="2617">Race-based compensation: Employees of certain races are reportedly paid more than others with comparable experience, and promotion increases can be influenced by race. Executives reportedly plan to maintain these race-based pay policies indefinitely.</li>
<li data-start="2621" data-end="2879">Executive bonuses tied to race metrics: Executive pay has been linked to mentoring BIPOC employees and retaining employees of favored races. Even after 2024 adjustments in language to focus on “belonging,” race-based numerical targets remain in effect.</li>
<li data-start="2883" data-end="3151">Exclusive mentorship and networking: Starbucks created programs explicitly limited to certain racial groups, while reports from Florida employees indicate these policies have caused humiliation, exclusion, and a hostile work environment for disfavored employees.</li>
</ol>
The attorney general argues that these practices have caused substantial harm to Florida residents, including lost wages, denied promotions, and exclusion from professional development opportunities, as well as broader economic impacts. The suit emphasizes that Starbucks’ policies constitute a “pattern or practice of discrimination” affecting thousands of employees across the state.
The lawsuit requests the court to declare Starbucks’ policies discriminatory, permanently enjoin the company from race-based employment actions, impose civil penalties of up to $10,000 per violation (potentially amounting to tens of millions of dollars), and award compensatory and punitive damages for the harm inflicted on Florida employees.

MixCollage-10-Dec-2025-01-39-PM-1866

Florida Attorney General Sues Starbucks Over DEI Policies

Florida AG Sues Starbucks Over Alleged Race-Based Hiring, Pay, And Mentorship Policies

Florida

James Uthmeier

Global coffeehouse chain Starbucks will be making changes to its menu to more align with the &#8220;Make America Healthy Again&#8221; agenda, according to the company&#8217;s CEO, Brian Niccol. 
Human Services (HHS) Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. said in April he&#8217;s phasing out petroleum-based dyes and working with major food companies to voluntarily implement further MAHA changes.
Niccol met with RFK on Tuesday, according to a post from the secretary, and vowed to make the company&#8217;s menu healthier.
&#8220;Yesterday, I met with [Starbucks] CEO Brian Niccol, who shared the company’s plans to further MAHA its menu,&#8221; Kennedy posted to X on Wednesday.
&#8220;I was pleased to learn that Starbucks&#8217; food and beverages already avoid artificial dyes, artificial flavors, high fructose corn syrup, artificial sweeteners, and other additives,&#8221; he added.
Some Starbucks drinks, however, are known to have incredibly <a href="https://www.delish.com/food-news/a62639189/most-unhealthy-coffee-drinks/">large amounts of sugar</a> in them. A grande white chocolate mocha frappuccino, for example, contains <a href="https://www.starbucks.com/menu/product/420/hot/nutrition">46 grams of sugar</a>, while it&#8217;s <a href="https://www.heart.org/en/healthy-living/healthy-eating/eat-smart/sugar/how-much-sugar-is-too-much">recommended</a> that individuals consume no more than 25-36 grams of sugar per day, depending on one&#8217;s sex.
Kennedy did not elaborate further on the coming changes.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
Yesterday, I met with <a href="https://twitter.com/Starbucks?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Starbucks</a> CEO Brian Niccol, who shared the company’s plans to further MAHA its menu. I was pleased to learn that Starbucks&#8217; food and beverages already avoid artificial dyes, artificial flavors, high fructose corn syrup, artificial sweeteners, and other… <a href="https://t.co/F2O9wHpVFW">pic.twitter.com/F2O9wHpVFW</a>
— Secretary Kennedy (@SecKennedy) <a href="https://twitter.com/SecKennedy/status/1935352690323652691?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 18, 2025</a></blockquote>
In addition to this vow from Starbucks, cereal company General Mills said this week it will remove artificial dyes from its products within the next two years. Specifically, artificial colors will be removed from all U.S. cereals and all K-12 school foods by the summer of 2026, Fox Business <a href="https://www.foxbusiness.com/lifestyle/general-mills-latest-us-food-giant-pulling-artificial-dyes-from-products">noted</a>. And by the end of 2027, General Mills plans to be rid of all synthetic colors from its full U.S. retail portfolio.
Moreover, earlier this week, food giant Kraft Heinz announced it will similarly <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/another-maha-win-kraft-heinz-to-nix-all-artificial-dyes-in-two-years?author=Amanda+Prestigiacomo&amp;category=News&amp;elementPosition=2&amp;row=0&amp;rowType=Vertical+List&amp;title=Another+MAHA+Win%3A+Kraft+Heinz+To+Nix+All+Artificial+Dyes+In+Two+Years">remove all artificial dyes</a> from its foods and beverages by the end of 2027, following pressure from Kennedy and his department.
Kraft Heinz said effectively immediately, no new products will contain such dyes, and all products for U.S. consumers will be synthetic dye-free in a couple years.
Related: <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/another-maha-win-kraft-heinz-to-nix-all-artificial-dyes-in-two-years?author=Amanda+Prestigiacomo&amp;category=News&amp;elementPosition=2&amp;row=0&amp;rowType=Vertical+List&amp;title=Another+MAHA+Win%3A+Kraft+Heinz+To+Nix+All+Artificial+Dyes+In+Two+Years">Another MAHA Win: Kraft Heinz To Nix All Artificial Dyes In Two Years</a>

Economy And Business In Poland

Starbucks Vows ‘MAHA’ Changes To Menu

Food

Robert F. Kennedy Jr.

A new president might be in the White House, but Washington, D.C., is pushing “Pride” as much as ever this year. 
From parades and marches to dance festivals and drag performances, the nation’s capital has not stepped back from using “Pride Month” to push radical gender ideology. This year in D.C., hundreds of thousands of people took part in a three-week-long celebration called “<a href="https://worldpridedc.org/event/world-pride-family-fun-festival/">WorldPride</a>.” The weeks-long event concluded on Sunday with a march and a video message from former Vice President Kamala Harris, The Washington Post <a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/dc-md-va/2025/06/08/world-pride-rally-march-national-mall/">reported</a>. 
“Pride is about honoring the trailblazers who came before, joining arms with those leading the fight for equality today and empowering the next generation to live boldly, freely and with joy,” Harris <a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/dc-md-va/2025/06/08/world-pride-rally-march-national-mall/">said</a>. “In this moment, as you gather with friends and allies from across the world, let us be clear: No one should be made to fight alone. We are all in this together.”
While President Donald Trump and his administration have pushed back on some of the crazy transgender policies that were supported by the Biden administration, the Left continues to stake its identity on allowing men to compete against women and defending the sterilization and mutilation of children. 
The WorldPride event in D.C. was <a href="https://worldpridedc.org/our-advocates/">sponsored</a> by numerous companies and activist groups, including (unsurprisingly) Kaiser Permanente, the medical group that was <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/detransitioner-chloe-cole-announces-official-lawsuit-against-kaiser-permanente-for-medical-negligence">sued</a> by detransitioner Chloe Cole claiming medical negligence for allegedly facilitating the chemical and surgical sex change operations on Cole when she was a minor. Another sponsor is Johns Hopkins University, which <a href="https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/center-transgender-health/services-appointments/children-adolescents-and-young-adults#:~:text=Clinical%20services%20are%20available%20for%20children%2C%20adolescents,for%20Transgender%20and%20Gender%20Expansive%20Health%20guidelines.">offers</a> children puberty blockers and cross-sex hormones. 
The <a href="https://worldpridedc.org/our-advocates/">list</a> of other sponsors goes on and on: 
<ul>
<li>Amazon </li>
<li>Starbucks</li>
<li>Ikea</li>
<li>JP Morgan Chase</li>
<li>Morgan Stanley</li>
<li>McDonald’s</li>
<li>Corona</li>
<li>Delta</li>
<li>United</li>
<li>Fresca</li>
<li>Hilton</li>
<li>Marriot</li>
<li>Wegmans</li>
<li>Hyatt</li>
<li>Dollar Tree</li>
<li>H&amp;M</li>
<li>Macy’s</li>
<li>Total Wine &amp; More</li>
<li>Astra Zeneca</li>
<li>AARP</li>
</ul>
All of these companies put their public stamp of approval on an event that focused on celebrating the LGBT identity and encouraged parents to bring their children to the “<a href="https://worldpridedc.org/event/world-pride-family-fun-festival/">World Pride Family Fun Festival</a>,” which it said would be “especially enjoyed by children ages 2–10.”
Most Americans are tired of the “Pride Month” shenanigans, but they’re still being shoved down their throats with the endorsements of some of the country’s most popular brands. 
At least there are still some companies that can read the room and aren’t going to push LGBT craziness — companies like <a href="https://www.jeremysrazors.com/">Jeremy’s Razors</a>. 
Check out some of the quality products offered by Jeremy’s Razors, such as the<a href="https://www.jeremysrazors.com/products/precision-5-trial-kit-2?selling_plan=3820880085"> Precision 5 Razor</a>. Feel a little dirty after reading about D.C.’s “Pride” festival? Check out Jeremy’s all-new <a href="https://www.jeremysrazors.com/products/birch-bark-body-soap?_pos=1&amp;_sid=32db4f1d8&amp;_ss=r&amp;variant=51559588462805&amp;selling_plan=4232937685">Birch Bark body soap</a>. 
We’re not even halfway through June. The incessant drumbeat of “Pride Month” still has weeks to drive us crazy. Hopefully, you don’t have to be in a place like D.C. to endure the rest of it.
Jeremy&#8217;s Razors shares common ownership with The Daily Wire.

People celebrating Pride Month and Parade-People marching with the rainbow LGBTQ flag

D.C. Goes All Out For ‘Pride’: These Companies Sponsored The Weeks-Long LGBT Celebration

Amazon

Delta Airlines

JP Morgan

LGBT

McDonald’s

Pride

Pride Month

United Airlines

Washington D.C.

A California-based delivery driver on Friday was awarded $50 million from a lawsuit against Starbucks after he was burned by a hot beverage that spilled in his lap at a drive-thru.
Michael Garcia sued the popular coffee chain after having to undergo skin graft procedures on his legs and penis, which he says was caused by a scalding hot tea not being properly situated in the cardboard drink carrier. Garcia was burned from one of three venti-sized “Medicine Ball” beverages that he was picking up, per <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/mar/16/delivery-driver-injury-lawsuit-california-starbucks">The Guardian</a>. According to the outlet, a Medicine Ball is an off-menu item consisting of &#8220;steamed lemonade, hot water, Jade Citrus Mint green tea, Peach Tranquility tea and honey.&#8221; 
Garcia’s attorney, Nick Rowley, said in a press release that Garcia’s “life has been forever changed” by the accident.
“No amount of money can undo the permanent catastrophic harm he has suffered, but this jury verdict is a critical step in holding Starbucks accountable for flagrant disregard for customer safety and failure to accept responsibility,” Rowley said.
The attorney also <a href="https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/man-awarded-50-million-starbucks-hot-tea-rcna196616">noted</a> that “Starbucks offered $30m to settle but wanted confidentiality. We said we would settle for $30m without confidentiality and only if Starbucks agreed to publicly apologize and promise to change policy to prevent this from happening again.”
Starbucks also issued a statement, saying they were sympathetic to Garcia’s pain but also that they planned to appeal the decision. The company said they have “always been committed to the highest safety standards in our stores.”
“We sympathize with Mr. Garcia, but we disagree with the jury’s decision that we were at fault for this incident and believe the damages awarded to be excessive,” Starbucks said in a statement.
The case is reminiscent of the famous 1990s case of a New Mexico woman who burned her legs with a hot cup of McDonald’s coffee. The late Stella Liebeck, who was 79 years old at the time, sustained third-degree burns in her pelvic region and was hospitalized for eight days while undergoing skin grafting, plus endured two additional years of medical treatment. 
Liebeck originally petitioned to settle with McDonald&#8217;s for $20,000 to cover her medical expenses, but the fast food chain declined, which led to her attorney suing for gross negligence. Liebeck was awarded $160,000 for medical expenses and $2.7 million in punitive damages, but that amount was later reduced by the judge. Liebeck and McDonald’s eventually settled for an undisclosed amount.

Delivery Driver Wins $50M In Lawsuit Against Starbucks After Hot Tea Spilled On His Genitals

Delivery Driver Awarded $50M In Hot Tea Lawsuit Against Starbucks

California

Courts

Lawsuit

Restaurant

U.S.

United States

As we approach 365 days since the horrific attacks of October 7, 2023, it’s abundantly clear that America has an anti-Israel extremism problem. Points of evidence range from the comparatively mundane, such as Pennsylvania Senator John Fetterman’s chief of staff breaking longstanding protocol to criticize her boss’ pro-Israel stance on record to reporters at the Free Press, to the unquestionably extreme, such as the <a href="https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/suspect-accused-stabbing-jewish-man-brooklyn-charged-hate-crimes-rcna166305" target="_blank" rel="noopener">case</a> of a Jewish man violently assaulted outside a New York synagogue in August, whose attacker yelled “Free Palestine” before asking the victim if he wanted to die and stabbing him in the torso. The August stabbing was yet another incident in the <a href="https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/driver-allegedly-jumps-curb-targets-people-new-york-city-jewish-school-rcna154647" target="_blank" rel="noopener">spike</a> of antisemitic violence we’ve seen in the wake of the deadliest attack on the Jewish people since the Holocaust.
Outside of the rise in physical violence, anti-Israel sentiment has propped up in a multitude of other places, from the mouths of student protests at universities like Columbia and Yale to the mouths of American lawmakers like Rashida Tlaib (D-MI). Yet, outside the academic and political realms, the push to attack Israel has also made its way into an area that’s increasingly become a focus for political activists: the boardrooms of America’s biggest companies.
Every year, thousands of publicly-traded companies hold their annual meetings, where shareholders vote their corporate shares on issues pertaining to the company’s governance and operations, often presented via proposals from shareholder groups themselves. For many years, these shareholder proposals have focused on social issues, in an arena more or less completely dominated by the progressive Left and its obsession with prioritizing environmental, social, and governance (ESG) issues that place partisan politics over good governance and fiduciary duty. As an analyst at America’s largest pro-shareholder proxy advisory firm, I’ve read thousands of shareholder proposals — from activists calling Starbucks racist for upcharging for oat milk (yes, you read that correctly) to others urging Walmart to confront its systemic racism problem (it’s so apparent that you can’t see it at all).
But those are comparatively small issues — shareholders wanting to waste Walmart’s money on their pet causes is one thing. The tone changes, however, when it’s shareholders lobbying weapons companies to disarm the state of Israel. And, this shareholder season, that’s <a href="https://www.dailysignal.com/2024/06/21/inside-bds-lefts-sneaky-targeting-israel-via-corporate-boardrooms/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">exactly what happened</a>. Activists went to brands like Lockheed Martin and <a href="https://www.lockheedmartin.com/content/dam/lockheed-martin/eo/documents/annual-reports/2024-proxy-statement.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener">accused</a> them of playing a role in &#8216;war crimes&#8217; for selling aircraft and weapons to the Israeli government — a partnership that’s existed for <a href="https://www.lockheedmartin.com/en-il/who-we-are.html#:~:text=Notably%2C%20Lockheed%20Martin%20has%20also,F%2D35%20Lightning%20II%20fighter." target="_blank" rel="noopener">decades</a>. They took similar sentiments to <a href="https://investors.rtx.com/static-files/f5957454-3174-4285-bf5f-06462044467d" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Raytheon</a> and <a href="https://s2.q4cdn.com/299287126/files/doc_financials/2024/ar/Amazon-com-Inc-2024-Proxy-Statement.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Amazon</a>, claiming that the company propped up “apartheid” by doing business with the Jewish state.
It’s worth noting that, while some proposals were filed before the events of October 7, many, including the call for Amazon Web Services to divest from Israel, were filed after, and expressly used the events of and response to October 7 to bolster their case for disarmament. These activist shareholders took their linguistic and rhetorical cues straight from the anti-Israel propaganda playbook, using the lofty language of universal commitment to human rights as they called for the largest companies in the world to not only leave innocent Israeli citizens defenseless against their enemies, but ditch Israeli vendors for the crime of being vendors in Israel.
<h4><a href="https://www.amiracist.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Am I Racist? Is In Theaters NOW — Get Your Tickets Here!</a></h4>
If you or anyone you know is a member of the Episcopal Church, you should know that the Church sponsored such a <a href="https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1526520/000119312524129373/d725214dars.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener">proposal</a> on TripAdvisor’s corporate ballot, urging the company to stop doing business with Israeli tourism vendors to avoid complicity in “human rights harms.” Such corporate activism is a picture-perfect example not only of how bought-in ESG activists are to progressive ideology, but how many mainstream American institutions have come along for the ride. Where’s the good news?
Whether the violence of October 7 exposed the inhumane calculus of one-sided corporate divestment for what it is, or whether shareholders simply weren’t willing to meekly comply with activist demands of &#8220;drop Israeli clients and lose out on financial returns because we say so,&#8221; the anti-Israel movement lost big at the boardroom. At Amazon, anti-Israel proposals last year pulled more than 33% of shareholder support. This year, thanks in part to conservative <a href="https://nypost.com/2024/03/16/business/radical-lefty-elites-in-corporate-america-love-hating-on-israel/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">journalists</a> and <a href="https://www.realclearmarkets.com/articles/2024/04/29/the_esg_anti-israel_push_isnt_taking_sides_its_choosing_lives_1027963.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">shareholder advocates</a> in this space exposing the activist rot, such proposals pulled less than 20%.
As skepticism of ESG grows, its association with radical ideologues like the ones seeking to disarm the Jewish state has only hurt it in the eyes of ordinary American shareholders who invest in companies for financial return, not to play politics. For the anti-Israel activists who see ESG as a way to channel their destructive corporate philosophy into geopolitical difference-making, it’s back to the drawing board. Let’s hope they stay there for a very, very long time.
* * *
Isaac Willour is a corporate analyst at Bowyer Research, America’s largest shareholder-first proxy advisory firm, and an award-winning journalist whose work has appeared in USA Today, the Wall Street Journal, and the New York Times. He can be found on X <a href="https://www.twitter.com/@IsaacWillour" target="_blank" rel="noopener">@IsaacWillour</a>.
The views expressed in this piece are those of the author and do not necessarily represent those of the Daily Wire.

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Since October 7, Anti-Israel Activism Has Failed Where It Matters Most

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The Supreme Court on Tuesday began hearing Starbucks&#8217; challenge to the federal labor agency that forced the coffee giant to rehire seven workers who tried to unionize.
In the summer of 2022, Starbucks fired seven baristas who were organizing a union at their Memphis location, arguing the workers violated company policy by having a television news crew come to the store after hours.
However, the National Labor Relations Board obtained a court order to reinstate the terminated baristas, agreeing with the workers that they were fired over their union activities. An appeals court later upheld that decision.
Starbucks argues that federal courts should have stricter standards for reinstating fired employees. Currently, a court may grant an injunction against a company if it is deemed &#8220;just and proper.&#8221;
During the first day of arguments, some of the justices appeared to agree with Starbucks.
Justice Neil Gorsuch pointed out that other federal agencies are subject to a stricter standard.
&#8220;In all sorts of alphabet soup agencies, we don&#8217;t do this. District courts apply the &#8216;likelihood of success&#8217; test as we normally conceive it. So why is this particular statutory regime different than so many others?&#8221; Gorsuch <a href="https://www.reuters.com/world/us/us-supreme-court-examines-firings-pro-union-starbucks-workers-2024-04-23/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">asked</a>.
Starbucks has a notoriously fraught relationship with its union, Starbucks Workers United, but tensions have recently cooled somewhat.
Starbucks and union representatives announced in February that they would resume talks. They were set to meet on Wednesday for a bargaining session, the first in close to a year, with the goal of getting a contract by the end of 2024.
Nevertheless, Starbucks has decided to plow ahead with its case before the high court to the dismay of union officials.
“The day [Starbucks] committed to a new path should’ve been the day that they pulled back the case before SCOTUS,” Lynne Fox, president of Workers United, the parent union of Starbucks&#8217; union, <a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/2024/04/23/starbucks-union-supreme-court/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">told</a> The Washington Post.
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Twelve current and former Starbucks baristas also wrote to the Supreme Court to claim they had been fired or punished for supporting union activity. Some said they had lost their health insurance or had their electricity cut because they could not pay their bills.
If the court decides in favor of Starbucks, the decision could discourage union activity at other companies. Union activity has <a href="https://www.nlrb.gov/news-outreach/news-story/union-petitions-up-35-unfair-labor-practices-charge-filings-up-7-in-the" target="_blank" rel="noopener">surged</a> across the country this year.
Amazon, SpaceX, and Trader Joe’s have also recently challenged the National Labor Relations Board.
SpaceX filed a federal lawsuit in Texas earlier this year against the agency after the labor board accused the company of illegally firing eight employees for criticizing Elon Musk, the company&#8217;s founder.

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Starbucks Challenges Federal Labor Board Before Supreme Court

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Shoppers caused a commotion this week as <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/topic/target">Target</a> and <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/topic/starbucks">Starbucks</a> released several drops of limited edition Valentine&#8217;s Day Stanley brand tumbler cups.
Videos showing crowds of people waiting in line outside Target locations nationwide before rushing into the store and grabbing cups off the display have been circulating on social media following the release on New Year’s Eve. The Quencher H2.0 FlowState Tumblers are offered in Cosmo Pink and Target Red and are a part of the brand&#8217;s &#8220;Galentine&#8217;s Collection.&#8221; 
&#8220;Made to gift, a card label is included while a tiny heart adorns the Stanley logo. With a pop of pink and the perfect shade of red, let&#8217;s celebrate your gal pal by spreading the love,&#8221; a <a href="https://www.target.com/p/stanley-40-oz-stainless-steel-h2-0-flowstate-quencher-tumbler/-/A-90630466?preselect=89249675">description</a> from the Target website says.
Cups sold out quickly online and in stores despite the $45 price tag. 
Shoppers were equally excited about the January 3 release of the special “Winter Pink” Stanley cups, with some shoppers choosing to camp out overnight in the Target parking lot. 
“We are seeing an enthusiastic response to the Starbucks x Stanley Quencher and many stores have sold out. It will not be restocked,” a Starbucks representative told <a href="https://www.today.com/food/news/starbucks-pink-stanley-cup-target-rcna132157">Today.com</a>.
One TikTok <a href="https://www.tiktok.com/@jazzedbyjaz/video/7318835095551642926">video</a> documenting the in-store experience on December 31 in El Paso, Texas, showed a mass of shoppers running toward the display to score the tumbler. The TikTok user’s caption said, &#8220;Getting trampled for a Target Stanley Valentine&#8217;s Cup.&#8221;
Another <a href="https://www.tiktok.com/@victoria_robino_26/video/7318781471873977646?is_from_webapp=1">viral TikTok clip</a> showed what happened in a Target store in Goodyear, Arizona, saying the tumblers there sold out in less than four minutes. Just like in the Texas version, the video showed people rushing to get cups from the display.
“Pulling up to target to wait in line since 10pm the night before for the new Stanley,” user ivey_huerta shared on social media. “Store opens at 8am. It’s now 1:45am. Wish us luck.”
The post comments were a mix of people marveling that anyone would care that much about a beverage container and shoppers bragging about how they had scored one of the coveted cups.
One comment said, &#8220;Stanley definitely knows what they are doing. Everyone and their mom wants one. IDK I still can&#8217;t wrap my head around paying that much for a cup.&#8221;
“Nothing in the world I want or need this bad,” another commenter said.
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The limited edition cups are already listed on resale sites such as Mercari, eBay, and Poshmark for anywhere from $100 to $300. 
The Stanley all-steel vacuum flask was invented by William Stanley Jr. in 1913. The brand has released various container products throughout the years and first introduced the 40-ounce Quencher tumbler in 2016. 
Initially, the Quencher was not a good seller, leading the company to stop restocking and marketing it in 2019. The company partnered with a female-run blog with the goal of selling 5,000 Quenchers and resumed production, introducing the cup in a line of unique colors. 
The cup’s popularity took off and has since helped drive Stanley’s annual sales from $70 million in 2019 to $750 million in 2023, per <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2022/05/17/style/stanley-tumbler.html">The New York Times</a>.
The Stanley cup is a status symbol across demographics ranging from teens to adult women.

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Limited Edition Valentine’s Day Stanley Cups Cause Chaos At Target, Sell Out In Minutes

Limited Edition Valentine's Day Stanley Cups Cause Chaos At Target, Sell Out In Minutes

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<a href="https://www.dailywire.com/topic/starbucks" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Starbucks</a> and its barista labor union have filed dueling lawsuits against each other over a pro-Palestinian social media post from the union in the wake of Hamas&#8217; attacks on Israel this month.
Starbucks <a href="https://apnews.com/article/starbucks-workers-united-union-lawsuit-israel-palestinian-f212a994fef67f122854a4df7e5d13f5" target="_blank" rel="noopener">filed</a> a lawsuit against Starbucks Workers United in federal court in Iowa on Wednesday, accusing the union of damaging Starbucks&#8217; reputation by posting on social media in support of Palestinians.
The Seattle-based coffee giant is alleging trademark infringement and demanding the union stop using the name &#8220;Starbucks&#8221; and a green logo that looks similar to the Starbucks logo.
The Starbucks workers&#8217; union responded by filing its own lawsuit against the company in federal court in Pennsylvania. The union is accusing Starbucks of defaming the union by implying that it supports &#8220;terrorism, hate and violence.&#8221;
The union is requesting to be allowed to keep using the Starbucks name and the similar logo.
Starbucks Workers United posted “Solidarity with Palestine!” on X on October 9, two days after Hamas launched its deadly attacks on Israel that killed more than 1,400 people. The union&#8217;s post was <a href="https://freebeacon.com/democrats/starbucks-union-championed-by-bernie-sanders-and-aoc-celebrates-hamas-attacks/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">quoting</a> another post that included a picture of a bulldozer tearing down part of the Israel-Gaza border.
The union <a href="https://apnews.com/article/starbucks-workers-united-union-lawsuit-israel-palestinian-f212a994fef67f122854a4df7e5d13f5" target="_blank" rel="noopener">said</a> in its lawsuit that workers put up the post without authorization from union leadership. The post was deleted after about 40 minutes.
The Iowa chapter of the union also <a href="https://freebeacon.com/democrats/starbucks-union-championed-by-bernie-sanders-and-aoc-celebrates-hamas-attacks/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">promoted</a> a rally supporting Palestinians, and the Boston chapter <a href="https://twitter.com/BostonSBWU/status/1711410725057392729" target="_blank" rel="noopener">posted</a> that it condemns the Israeli military for &#8220;senselessly and viciously bombing, murdering, and injuring innocent Palestinians.&#8221;
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The union, an affiliate of the Service Employees International Union, <a href="https://www.newsweek.com/starbucks-sues-pro-hamas-baristas-union-1835966" target="_blank" rel="noopener">represents</a> about 9,000 Starbucks baristas and other employees at more than 360 of the coffee company&#8217;s 34,000 stores worldwide. On its website, the union <a href="https://sbworkersunited.org" target="_blank" rel="noopener">accuses</a> Starbucks of an &#8220;unprecedented union-busting campaign&#8221; and said the company &#8220;refuses to bargain with us in good-faith.&#8221;
The union&#8217;s president accused Starbucks of exploiting the violence overseas to fight the union.
“Starbucks is seeking to exploit the ongoing tragedy in the Middle East to bolster the company’s anti-union campaign,” Workers United President Lynne Fox <a href="https://apnews.com/article/starbucks-workers-united-union-lawsuit-israel-palestinian-f212a994fef67f122854a4df7e5d13f5" target="_blank" rel="noopener">wrote</a> in a letter to Starbucks.
Meanwhile, Starbucks said it was inundated with more than 1,000 complaints about the union&#8217;s social media post. Hostile customers confronted Starbucks workers, who also received threatening phone calls, Starbucks <a href="https://apnews.com/article/starbucks-workers-united-union-lawsuit-israel-palestinian-f212a994fef67f122854a4df7e5d13f5" target="_blank" rel="noopener">said</a>.
&#8220;Starbucks unequivocally condemns acts of terrorism, hate and violence, and we strongly disagree with the views expressed by Workers United,&#8221; Starbucks Executive Vice President Sara Kelly <a href="https://stories.starbucks.com/press/2023/starbucks-condemns-acts-of-terror-strongly-disagrees-with-statements-made-by-workers-united/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">said</a> in a statement on Tuesday.
Hamas&#8217; attacks killed at least 27 Americans along with hundreds of Israeli civilians, including children. More than 200 Israelis <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/article/israel-hostages-hamas-explained.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">have been</a> taken hostage.
Israel is now waging a massive counteroffensive, <a href="https://www.cbsnews.com/news/israel-hamas-war-gaza-palestinians-death-toll-ground-offensive-expected/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">launching</a> airstrikes in Hamas-controlled territory and preparing for a ground offensive.

Starbucks And Barista Union Sue Each Other Over ‘Solidarity with Palestine’ Post

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A <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/topic/starbucks" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Starbucks</a> labor union with past ties to prominent members of the <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/topic/democratic-party" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Democratic Party</a> expressed “solidarity” with the people group that backed an unprecedented terrorist attack on Israel.
A social media account for Starbucks Workers United posted “Solidarity with Palestine!” following the deadliest terror attack on Israeli soil in the nation’s history, according to <a href="https://freebeacon.com/democrats/starbucks-union-championed-by-bernie-sanders-and-aoc-celebrates-hamas-attacks/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">The Washington Free Beacon</a>. The attack was carried out by Hamas, an Iran-backed terror group elected to lead Palestinians in the Gaza Strip. The attack left over 1,200 civilians dead and thousands wounded, marking the deadliest single day for Jews since the Holocaust.
The union has since deleted the post, made on X, formerly known as Twitter, according to the Free Beacon, which captured a screenshot of the image. Starbucks Workers United is an affiliate of the Service Employees International Union (SEIU) and represents roughly 9,000 baristas.
The now-erased comment was made while reposting an image of a Palestinian bulldozer tearing down the Israeli-constructed wall between Gaza and Israel. The Hamas attack against Israel, which took place Saturday, included hundreds of terrorists who tore apart sections of the wall to transport vehicles, weapons, and militants into Israel.
In the recent past, a number of prominent Democrats have aligned themselves with the union, such as New York Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders, and Pennsylvania Sen. John Fetterman.
Support for Palestinians has gained traction on the left-wing of the Democratic Party and in institutions such as Harvard since Israel declared war on Hamas on Sunday. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu promised to repay Hamas for butchering hundreds of Israeli civilians with a war that the terrorists and their backers will remember for decades.
Reps. Rashida Tlaib of Michigan and Cori Bush of Missouri put out statements <a href="https://thehill.com/homenews/house/4245770-tlaib-bush-criticized-by-democrats-over-statements-calling-for-end-to-israel-support/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">criticizing</a> Israel in the aftermath of the attack and expressing support for Palestinians. Tlaib, in a lengthy statement, falsely accused Israel of being an apartheid state and of occupying Palestinian territory. She then called for U.S. funding to Israel to be cut.
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“The failure to recognize the violent reality of living under siege, occupation, and apartheid makes no one safer. No person, no child anywhere should have to suffer or live in fear of violence. We cannot ignore the humanity in each other,” she said. “As long as our country provides billions in unconditional funding to support the apartheid government, this heartbreaking cycle of violence will continue.”
Bush made a similar statement, also calling for the U.S. to pull support for the Jewish state: “As part of achieving a just and lasting peace, we must do our part to stop this violence and trauma by ending U.S. government support for Israeli military occupation and apartheid.”
Daily Wire Editor Emeritus Ben Shapiro <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/ben-shapiro-takes-on-hamas-sympathizers-with-history-lesson-this-has-nothing-to-do-with-settlements" target="_blank" rel="noopener">debunked</a> the accusations against Israel during an interview with Megyn Kelly on her show Tuesday.
“Israel unilaterally pulled out of the Gaza Strip in an attempt to create some sort of security arrangement, presumably protect the Jews at the northern tip of the Gaza Strip, and allow the Palestinians some chance at electing a government,” Shapiro said, referring to the pullout in 2005. “They then promptly elected Hamas, a State Department-designated terror group in an election that was fully legitimate as attested to by [former U.S. President] Jimmy Carter.”
“So the attempt to tie this to settlements is insane,” Shapiro said, “because again, there are no settlements inside the Gaza Strip. The areas that were attacked [in Israel] have been part of the state of Israel since 1948. This is not post-1967 settlements in the West Bank — in the so-called West Bank; Judea and Samaria.”

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Starbucks Union Backed By Prominent Dems Claims ‘Solidarity With Palestine’ After Hamas Terror Attack

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