A Michigan Office Depot store sparked outrage after an employee refused to print a paid poster for a Charlie Kirk memorial service, calling it “propaganda.”
The Daily Wire reported that in Portage, Michigan, a woman identified as a manager at Office Depot’s Store 3382 halted a print order for a poster honoring the late conservative commentator Charlie Kirk, organized by Michigan Forward.
The poster, featuring Kirk’s photo and the text “The Legendary Charlie Kirk, 1993-2025,” was intended for a prayer vigil. The refusal, captured on video, ignited a firestorm online.
The incident began when a Michigan Forward member paid for the poster, only to return four hours later to find it unprinted. The manager, backed by a male colleague claiming to be the print supervisor, dismissed the order as “propaganda” tied to Kirk’s status as a political figure. This reasoning baffled the customer, as Kirk never ran for office.
“Yeah, we don’t print propaganda,” the manager declared, doubling down on her stance without further explanation. Her flippant dismissal of a paid order for a memorial event reeks of ideological overreach, especially since the poster was a simple tribute, not a campaign ad. Customers expect service, not a lecture on what qualifies as “acceptable” speech.
The manager’s claim that Kirk’s image constituted “political propaganda” raises eyebrows. Since when does a memorial poster for a private citizen—albeit a prominent one—cross into forbidden territory? This smells like a personal bias dressed up as policy, a move that’s all too common in today’s hyper-politicized climate.
Michigan Forward quickly shared the exchange on social media, where the video exploded, racking up views and fueling public anger.
The group’s caption noted the customer’s frustration: a paid order, meant for a solemn vigil, was rejected without clear justification. The viral clip exposed a growing divide over free expression in everyday business.
Office Depot’s corporate headquarters didn’t dawdle, issuing a statement from Store 3382 that condemned the manager’s actions.
“The behavior displayed by our associate is completely unacceptable and insensitive,” the company stated, emphasizing that it violated their policies. The swift response suggests they recognized the public relations disaster unfolding.
The manager was promptly fired, a decision that Office Depot framed as necessary to uphold its values. While some might cheer the termination, it’s worth asking whether the employee was thrown under the bus to quell the uproar. A single staffer’s poor judgment shouldn’t define a company, but it does expose cracks in training and oversight.
The poster itself was straightforward: a photo of Kirk with a simple epitaph, “The Legendary Charlie Kirk, 1993-2025.” Hardly the stuff of revolutionary manifestos. Yet, the manager’s refusal to print it suggests a deeper discomfort with Kirk’s conservative legacy, which shouldn’t dictate a business transaction.
The prayer vigil, meant to honor Kirk’s contributions, was overshadowed by this avoidable clash. Michigan Forward’s member described the event as a moment of reflection, not a political rally. The manager’s decision to block the poster turned a private act of remembrance into a public spectacle.
“It’s propaganda, sorry, we don’t print that here,” the manager insisted, as if she were gatekeeping the First Amendment.
Her refusal to engage beyond vague accusations of “propaganda” betrays a troubling trend: shutting down speech under the guise of neutrality. Businesses aren’t courts of law; they should fulfill orders, not play morality police.
The male print supervisor’s role in the incident remains unclear, though he backed the manager’s stance during the exchange. His involvement hints at a broader culture within the store that may have emboldened the refusal. Office Depot’s apology didn’t address whether he faced consequences, leaving questions unanswered.
Office Depot’s statement apologized to both the customer and the community, acknowledging the incident’s insensitivity. But apologies alone don’t address the underlying issue: employees wielding unchecked power to censor based on personal beliefs. This isn’t just about one poster—it’s about who gets to decide what’s “acceptable” speech.
The viral video amplified the story, showing how quickly public sentiment can shift in the digital age. Social media gave Michigan Forward a platform to expose the incident, but it also highlights the pressure companies face to navigate ideological minefields. Office Depot’s decisive action may have mitigated the damage, but the episode lingers as a cautionary tale.
