I'm just going to say that whether you support Black Rifle Coffee Company or not, their less then "we're just neutral" response is more likely to lose supporters than gain, especially, since they've branded themselves as a pro-2A company.
quote:
A Salt Lake City coffee company said it objected to a tweet posted by a Blaze Media reporter who tied its coffee to Kyle Rittenhouse, accused of killing two people during an August protest in Wisconsin.
Elijah Schaffer tweeted a since-removed photo of the 17-year-old wearing a Black Rifle Coffee Company shirt with the caption, “Kyle Rittenhouse drinks the best coffee in America.” The teenager was released Friday after supporters raised his $2 million bail.
Schaffer posted a discount code for the coffee under the post with the photo. And online, commenters questioned whether the coffee company had a sponsorship deal with Rittenhouse and accused it of supporting murder and hate.
But Black Rifle Coffee, a sponsor of Schaffer’s Slightly Offens*ve podcast, said in a statement Saturday that it is not sponsoring or supporting Rittenhouse.
A spokesperson for the coffee company told The Salt Lake Tribune on Saturday afternoon that the company was terminating its sponsorship of Slightly Offens*ve, but late Saturday, she said she had misunderstood.
“We are not fluctuating our ad spend,” she said in a text message. “We did have a conversation with Schaffer, and he understands that the post was a mistake.”
Earlier in the day, she had said: “We don’t traffic in national tragedy and to us, that’s what this is. We are not legal experts or members of law enforcement. We fully support all law enforcement officials and believe in the integrity of the legal system.”
After clarifying the company’s continuing sponsorship of Blaze Media, she added: “Our concern is that use of the discount code in the post did not reflect our values. That’s a concern we’ve addressed with the journalist and that he understands.”
Blaze employees “make decisions about how to allocate ad dollars within the Blaze,” she said, but she did not clarify whether Black Rifle would request to end its placement as a podcast sponsor. She said the company and Blaze are discussing “how to move forward with the allocation of ad dollars.”
Black Rifle Coffee is a Salt Lake City-based roaster that brands itself as a gun-loving, conservative company started by veterans. In a statement Saturday afternoon, co-founder Evan Hafer said, “We do not support legal advocacy efforts. We do not sponsor nor do we have a relationship with the 17-year-old facing charges in Kenosha, WI.”
The company’s spokeswoman said it is focused on making coffee and supporting the military community, and it will not comment on an ongoing legal matter.
But Twitter users criticized Black Rifle on Saturday for not explicitly condemning Rittenhouse’s alleged actions.
“You’d think if @blckriflecoffee DIDN’T condone the murder of two people at the hands of #KyleRittenhouse they’d speak up,” tweeted actress Yvette Nicole Brown.
In 2017, the company drew attention as the right wing’s preferred roaster after conservative pundits, including Donald Trump Jr. and Sean Hannity, praised it in the wake of controversy over the Keurig coffee machine company.
Keurig pulled its ads from Hannity’s show because he defended Republican Senate candidate Roy Moore, who was accused of inappropriately touching a teenage girl and pursuing other teenagers in his 30s. After Hannity viewers said they were boycotting Keurig, Trump Jr. promoted Black Rifle Coffee on his Twitter page.
“Great coffee, great guys and great Americans @seanhannity I’ve had the chance to meet and hang out with them. Try it. #blackriflecoffeecompany,” Trump Jr. wrote.
At the time, Hafer told The Tribune he didn’t know anything about the accusations against Moore, and attributed controversy over the company to its conservative stance.
“We’re a controversial coffee company because we’re openly conservative,” said Hafer, whose company was then roasting about 1 million pounds of coffee each year. “When I say conservative, it’s because of the things that we really believe in. I believe in the Constitution. I believe in the Second Amendment. I believe in family.”
A Statement from CEO Evan Hafer on Black Rifle Coffee Company’s Mission
As a veteran-owned and operated coffee company, Black Rifle Coffee Company exists to serve premium coffee while supporting the veteran Community. At the core of Black Rifle Coffee’s values is to support and bring awareness to the millions of veterans who have proudly served our nation and we will not waver from that mission.
The Black Rifle brand is a symbol of service, of strength, and of goodness that has carried over from our military origins. It’s why we support active duty service members and veterans, prioritize veteran hiring, and advocate for individual liberty and personal responsibility.
We do not support legal advocacy efforts. We do not sponsor nor do we have a relationship with the 17-year-old facing charges in Kenosha, WI.
We believe in the integrity of the legal justice system, and support law enforcement officials.
We’re grateful for the continued support of the Black Rifle Coffee community and eager to continue serving those who serve.
-Evan Hafer, CEO/Founder
Please direct inquiries to press@blackriflecoffee.com
Originally posted by lkdr1989: “You’d think if @blckriflecoffee DIDN’T condone the murder of two people at the hands of #KyleRittenhouse they’d speak up,” tweeted actress Yvette Nicole Brown.
BRC aren't public defenders, their business is coffee. Actress Yvette Nicole Brown and those of her ilk are just left wingnut trolls looking for a reaction.
Posts: 4871 | Location: Bathing in the stream of consciousness ~~~ | Registered: July 06, 2008
BRCC in the business of making and selling coffee. It really sucks that some personality at Blaze took it upon himself to align BRCC with something political.
Additionally, they have charitable causes with the military and law enforcement (portion of Thin Blue Line benefits law enforcment and their families).
Ego is the anesthesia that deadens the pain of stupidity
DISCLAIMER: These are the author's own personal views and do not represent the views of the author's employer.
Posts: 23829 | Location: Northern Suburbs of Houston | Registered: November 14, 2005
Originally posted by sigmonkey: I have no issue with BRC's statement or position, and do not see where anyone should or could be butthurt over this.
(I do not buy their coffee, but if I did, I would continue as always)
+1. We on this site (myself included) bitch about companies getting involved in political nonsense instead of focusing on their core mission statement of selling products or services. BRCC did what I'd hope all companies would do....focus on doing what they're in business to do.
----------------------------- Guns are awesome because they shoot solid lead freedom. Every man should have several guns. And several dogs, because a man with a cat is a woman. Kurt Schlichter
Mike Lindell and Ricky Schroeder donated the money that put the fund over the top allowing Rittenhouse to meet bail. I'm surprised the left Hollywood elite aren't attacking them especially Schroeder seeing he is a conservative actor.
BRC is doing what I have wondered why most companies don't do. Stay out of the political fray and just do what you're in business to do.
"Fixed fortifications are monuments to mans stupidity" - George S. Patton
Posts: 8680 | Location: Minnesota | Registered: June 17, 2007
Originally posted by tatortodd: More businesses should take a neutral position.
BRCC in the business of making and selling coffee. It really sucks that some personality at Blaze took it upon himself to align BRCC with something political.
Agreed, on both counts.
Keep in mind that it was someone who wasn't directly affiliated with Black Rifle who made the initial post linking the two. As a business owner, you want control of your "brand". If you (or one of your employees/designees) choose to connect yourself to a cause, that's one thing. Someone else attempting to link you to a cause, especially a politically sensitive one, is another.
