Seattle Mayor Katie Wilson is facing renewed criticism after admitting she recently bought a drink from Starbucks, despite having previously urged residents to boycott the coffee chain during a labor dispute.
During an interview published Wednesday with FOX 13 Seattle co-anchor Hana Kim, Wilson acknowledged that she recently visited the iconic Pike Place Market Starbucks and ordered what she described as a “blueberry muffin latte” created by staff.
“I guess I broke my boycott,” Wilson said with a laugh. “And yeah, but I, you know, I don’t know. What do you want me to say about that?”
Kim pressed Wilson on whether she still supports a boycott of the Seattle-based coffee giant after the mayor publicly encouraged residents last year to stop buying Starbucks during a barista strike.
“I absolutely support unions,” Wilson responded.
WATCH: Socialist Seattle Mayor Katie Wilson refuses to say if she supports Starbucks even after the company said it was leaving Seattle after she announced she was boycotting the coffee giant, one of the largest employers in the city
"What do you want me to say?" pic.twitter.com/WAJPthXCyN
— Ari Hoffman (@thehoffather) June 4, 2026
The exchange comes after Wilson spent months facing backlash from business leaders and critics who argue Seattle’s political leadership has become increasingly hostile toward employers and major companies.
At a barista picket line last year, Wilson declared: “I am not buying Starbucks, and you should not either,” according to The Seattle Times.
More recently, however, Wilson acknowledged that her remarks “caused more harm than good” as concerns continue to grow over Seattle’s struggling business climate and the city’s relationship with employers.
Starbucks has steadily scaled back parts of its Seattle footprint in recent years. In March, the company confirmed it would close five more stores in the city. Those cuts followed other high-profile shutdowns, including the closure of the Starbucks Reserve Roastery on Capitol Hill earlier this year.
Former Starbucks CEO Howard Schultz also took direct aim at Seattle leadership in a recent Wall Street Journal op-ed, accusing Wilson of embracing anti-business politics.
“Seattle’s mayor, Katie Wilson, has chosen to cast business as a foil rather than a partner,” Schultz wrote. “Her socialist rhetoric vilifies employers, even while she continues to rely on them for revenue. She has encouraged residents who disagree with her policies to leave.”
