A Starbucks in Norwood Park, Illinois, has stated an employee did not write “Loser” on a cup containing Charlie Kirk’s go-to order, contrary to viral claims that caused a minor conservative frenzy last week.

A spokesperson told Block Club Chicago that surveillance footage of the incident showed the word was not written by an employee and had “to have been added after the beverage was handed off, likely by someone else.”

The scandal first spread online Tuesday when Jacqueline Garretson—whose X bio lists her as Illinois director of The Conservative Caucus, a right-wing lobbying group—posted a photo she reportedly received from a “relative.” The image showed a Starbucks cup with Kirk’s favorite drink, Mint Majesty tea with two honey packets, marked with the insult. She followed up the post

See Full Page