GOP Senate Hopeful Michele Tafoya Urges Americans to Skip Starbucks to Offset War-Driven Gas Hikes — Sparks Backlash

Michele Tafoya, the former NFL sideline reporter turned Republican Senate candidate in Minnesota, ignited controversy after suggesting Americans take "one less trip to Starbucks" to stretch gas amid rising prices tied to former President Trump’s military action in Iran.

What She Said

Tafoya, 61, made the remarks on The Todd Starnes Radio Show while discussing the economic pressures some voters face because of higher fuel costs. She framed the suggestion as a small, patriotic sacrifice to support U.S. service members deployed overseas.

Angie Craig will likely face Tafoya in the 2026 midterm election. / @AngieCraigMN

"I know it’s frustrating, and I know it’s hard for people. What I would say to them is we’ve lost some service members over there who have put their lives on the line to protect us, to protect the region, protect America’s friends in the region," Tafoya said. "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. Let’s just try to be patriots about this."

Context and Criticism

Unlike U.S. participation in the world wars, which received congressional approval, the military action against Iran that began on Feb. 28 has not been authorized by Congress — a fact many critics noted in responses to Tafoya's comments.

Minnesota Congresswoman Angie Craig, the leading Democratic contender for the Senate seat, sharply criticized Tafoya’s suggestion, calling it out of touch and sarcastically noting that many Minnesotans prefer a local coffee chain, Caribou.

Conservatives frequently rage against Starbucks. / Charles LeClaire / USA TODAY Sports

Social media responses were immediate and often scathing. Critics compared the advice to historical examples of elite detachment, questioned its practicality for people already struggling, and mocked the idea that skipping a coffee run meaningfully offsets broader price pressures.

Campaign Background

Tafoya announced her Senate bid in January. A longtime television personality who worked as a sideline reporter for NBC’s Sunday Night Football, she has shifted over the course of her campaign toward a more pro-Trump, MAGA-aligned stance. The National Republican Senatorial Committee has endorsed her; NRSC Chair Sen. Tim Scott praised her as a candidate with "common-sense leadership."

Tafoya was a longtime fixture on

Earlier, Tafoya had been critical of Trump and supported Ron DeSantis in the 2024 Republican primary, but her campaign rhetoric has moved closer to Trump-aligned positions as she seeks to flip the Minnesota Senate seat.

Administration Remarks

Members of the Trump administration have downplayed consumer concerns about price effects from the conflict. National Economic Council director Kevin Hassett said consumer costs were "the least of his concerns" related to the war, and President Trump himself acknowledged he expected oil prices to be worse for consumers, calling the operation "an excursion" and saying he thought the numbers could have been higher.

President Donald Trump insisted the U.S. has taken out Iran's anti-aircraft capabilities on Thursday. / Evelyn Hockstein/Reuters

The Daily Beast reached out to Tafoya's campaign for further comment.

Why It Matters: The exchange highlights tensions between political leadership, public economic pain, and how candidates propose citizens respond to crises — and it underscores how a small comment can quickly become a focal point in a high-stakes Senate race.