Has Michigan Office Depot apologised over refusal to print Charlie Kirk vigil posters? Viral video sparks outrage

Office Depot faced massive backlash after a Michigan store refused to print a Charlie Kirk vigil poster, sparking boycott calls despite a company's apology.

Office Depot is facing a wave of criticism after a Michigan store allegedly refused to print a poster for a vigil honoring conservative commentator Charlie Kirk, who was killed earlier this week, the NY Post reported.

Footage revealed that hand signals from Charlie Kirk's bodyguards were intentional security measures before his assassination. (Meredith Seaver/College Station Eagle via AP, File) (AP)

As per the report, the Kalamazoo County Republican Party had placed the order on Friday afternoon at the Portage, MI, location. But organizers said they were informed around 5:30 pm local time by a store print supervisor, identified only as “Beryl,” that the request would not be fulfilled. According to a video being shared on social media, the employee reportedly dismissed the order as “propaganda.”

Viral video that sparked outrage

Republican attorney and activist Matthew DePerno captured the moment in a video posted on social media, showing the employee refusing to process the job. In the clip, the worker can be heard saying, “We don’t print political propaganda.” The order, worth $56.17, was canceled on the spot.

It remains unclear if a refund was processed, but the group eventually had the poster printed for free at a nearby FedEx store. DePerno’s video garnered more than 100,000 views, sparking immediate outrage among Kirk’s supporters.

Office Depot issues apology

In response to the backlash, Office Depot released a statement condemning the incident. The company called the employee’s behavior “unacceptable, insensitive, and a violation of company policy.” Officials confirmed the worker has since been fired and that the company has reached out to the customer directly.

The aftermath of the incident

Despite the apology, Office Depot has faced boycott calls. On X, one user wrote, “Won’t be doing business with them anymore.”

Another user commented, “Sounds like Office Depot just hit the boycott list.”

Many praised FedEx for stepping in. One person posted, “doing business the right way,” applauding the company for printing the vigil posters at no cost.

Here are some more reactions

Boycott calls spread online. Many argued that refusing to print the poster was an attack on conservative voices. Some users labeled the incident “anti-American” and urged people to dump Office Depot stock.

Criticism focused on both the employee and the company itself. The employee was accused of injecting personal politics into business operations.

FAQ

1. Why is Office Depot facing boycott calls?

Because a Michigan store refused to print a Charlie Kirk vigil poster, labeling it “political propaganda.”

2. What happened after the refusal?

The Kalamazoo GOP had the poster printed for free at FedEx. A video of the Office Depot refusal went viral.

3. How did Office Depot respond?

The company apologized, called the incident against policy, fired the employee, and contacted the customer directly.

4. Why are people still angry?

Critics say the apology was too late. Many accused Office Depot of censorship and political bias, sparking widespread boycott calls.

5. What broader issues does this raise?

The case has fueled debate about corporate neutrality, free speech, and how businesses handle politically sensitive requests.