Michele Tafoya, the Republican nominee for Senate in Minnesota, has faced criticism for her comments regarding Starbucks following her primary election victory. In March, Tafoya suggested that Americans experiencing economic difficulties due to rising gas and oil prices should reduce their visits to Starbucks to help manage expenses. She stated, "Maybe you take one less trip to Starbucks, and so that gas goes a little further, until this thing is over and these gas prices come back down again."
After her primary win, her remarks were discussed on MS NOW, leading to renewed scrutiny. Fred Wellman, a Democrat running for Congress in Missouri, responded by highlighting the disconnect between Tafoya's comments and the realities faced by many Americans. He remarked, "When you’re rich it’s an inconvenience. When you’re just trying to make ends meet, you’re not patriotic. Stop electing out-of-touch politicians."
Others also expressed their discontent online, with one user sarcastically questioning what they should give up if they did not frequent Starbucks. Tafoya won her primary election by 28 points against U.S. Rep. Angie Craig and will compete against Minnesota Lt. Gov. Peggy Flanagan in the upcoming 2026 midterm election. Tafoya, who previously criticized Trump, has aligned herself with MAGA supporters in her campaign, aiming to become the first Republican senator from Minnesota in nearly two decades.