Things We Don’t Care About: Trump Suggests a Starbucks Boycott

Ever since Starbucks unveiled its new minimalist red cup design, everyone has been freaking out for incredibly stupid reasons. And speaking of incredibly stupid, Donald Trump has now gotten involved in the debate, so we should expect this silly controversy to continue.

First, there were a few people posting that the design, which doesn’t feature anything noticeably Christmas-y, is anti-Christian.

The complainers inexplicably include Rob Lowe:

Between their program to have baristas lecture me about race and now their removal of “Merry Christmas” I’m officially over @Starbucks#done

— Rob Lowe (@RobLowe) November 10, 2015

Joshua Feuerstein, a social media personality, posted a video to Facebook in which he “tricked” Starbucks into writing Merry Christmas on its cups by telling the barista that was his name when ordering his drink.

Today in Pointless Conservative Christian Self-Martyrdom, Joshua Feuerstein & Starbucks Cups https://t.co/liI21KV3TC

— let’s handle mexico (@jbaileystweets) November 8, 2015

The outcry itself actually seemed relatively minor and scattered, but then people started complaining about the people complaining, as the internet is wont to do.

Remember that time in the bible when Starbucks refused to sell Jesus a peppermint mocha cuz he wasn’t wearing shoes? #boycottstarbucks

— Nina Bargiel (@slackmistress) November 9, 2015

This Santa is dressed in Red. Totally offensive. #WarOnChristmas#RedCups#BoycottSanta#boycottstarbuckspic.twitter.com/KnafInx9Qm — bennydiego (@bennydiego) November 10, 2015 

Everyone remembers where we were when they had the first shots in the Great Latte Battle during the War on Christmas. #boycottstarbucks — Tina Dupuy (@TinaDupuy) November 10, 2015

Now, everyone’s favorite troll doll, Donald Trump, has weighed in on the controversy, calling for a possible Starbucks boycott.

The entire thing is epically silly–first of all, there was never Merry Christmas written on the cups to begin with, but rather more generic winter and holiday designs, like trees and snowflakes. Additionally, there are plenty of other Christmas-branded products in Starbucks stores. 

Hey, Christians raging over Starbucks’ red cup, here’s their 2015 Christmas Blend coffee. Not holiday: pic.twitter.com/SJ6im7aak5

— The Rude Pundit (@rudepundit) November 9, 2015

With Trump weighing in, this total first world problem of a debate was somewhat validated, and given even more media coverage. But Starbucks’ stock hasn’t been affected, and plenty of people are still shelling out loads of cash for coffee from the brand. So, this ridiculous argument is just a waste of time and caffeine.

Anneliese Mahoney

Anneliese Mahoney is Managing Editor at Law Street and a Connecticut transplant to Washington D.C. She has a Bachelor’s degree in International Affairs from the George Washington University, and a passion for law, politics, and social issues. Contact Anneliese at amahoney@LawStreetMedia.com.