Two employees at a Smoothie King franchise in Ann Arbor, Michigan, have been fired after allegedly refusing to serve a couple because the husband was wearing a MAGA pro-Trump hoodie — a confrontation that erupted inside the store and quickly went viral nationwide.
Erika Lindemyer and her husband, Jake, said they were forced to leave the Smoothie King store Sunday after a tense exchange with two young female workers. According to Erika, employees told them they did not “feel comfortable” serving the couple because of Jake’s Donald Trump-branded sweatshirt. Erika recorded the incident, and the video spread rapidly online.
BREAKING – Smoothie King is facing mass calls to fire the entire crew at its Ann Arbor, Michigan location after they refused to serve two customers simply for being Trump supporters.
Black privilege at its finest.
Number provided, you know what to do. pic.twitter.com/DtICm2alPC
— Right Angle News Network (@Rightanglenews) March 2, 2026
“We were just wanting a smoothie and you literally looked at us and I asked you if everything was OK and you said ‘We don’t feel comfortable serving you’ because of my husband’s hoodie. That is discrimination,” Erika said in the clip.
“Okay, well, have a great day,” one Smoothie King employee responded.
“That is illegal,” Erika insisted.
“I said Trump discriminates [against] us,” another Smoothie King worker replied.
“Okay, well that has nothing to do with us getting a smoothie!” Erika shot back.
The argument escalated further.
“OK, well that’s who you support though, that’s who you love,” the first Smoothie King employee said.
“What’s embarrassing is that we’re American citizens and I wanted to get a smoothie,” Erika answered.
The second worker maintained they “have a right to refuse service” and directed the couple toward the exit.
“You asked a question and [the other employee] gave you an answer. Have a great day. Have a great day. The door’s right there,” the employee said.
As the couple left, Erika warned she would call police over what she viewed as discriminatory treatment, though it remains unclear whether authorities were contacted.
The controversy intensified Monday when a separate video surfaced of one of the employees joking that she may have “accidentally started a race war” and urging viewers to help get Erika’s original recording taken down.
“I am a minor and she recorded me without my permission. The people in the comments are all white and they’re all being hella racist, guys, please help me get this video taken down,” the worker said.
Following the backlash, Smoothie King’s corporate office confirmed the two employees involved “are no longer with the business.”
Boycott Smoothie King. I don't care if it's a franchise. Corporate needs to crack down, or it will be a brand failure. https://t.co/CYBvA8RGGC
— Kelly B (@Rosegirl62) March 3, 2026
In a statement posted to X, the company stressed that its brand is dedicated to maintaining stores free from any form of discrimination and ensuring that both guests and team members are treated with dignity and respect.
The Ann Arbor Smoothie King franchise owner also announced additional steps in response to the incident, including mandatory retraining for all staff to reinforce company standards surrounding customer experience and service expectations.
“We are aware of the situation that occurred at one of our franchised locations,” Smoothie King said earlier. “This behavior does not align with our values.”
Smoothie King Employees Fired After Refusing to Serve Customer in Trump Hoodie | TRUTH Press https://t.co/lDitSPwo0V
— Shay (@Shay62958546) March 3, 2026
Jake has maintained that he entered the store simply to order a smoothie and did nothing disruptive beyond wearing clothing expressing support for President Donald Trump.
The episode has ignited heated debate online over political expression, discrimination claims, and the rights of businesses versus customers in a politically polarized climate. Supporters of President Donald Trump argue the incident highlights tensions faced by Americans who openly display their political beliefs, while others debate the boundaries of service refusal policies.
For Smoothie King, the viral clash ended with immediate firings and a renewed emphasis on training. For the Lindemyers, what they described as a routine stop for a drink became a national flashpoint — underscoring how quickly political divides can spill into everyday American life.
