Kristin Wolter, the owner of Everbloom Design, a florist shop in Memphis, has found herself embroiled in controversy after publicly stating that she would not serve supporters of Donald Trump. Wolter made the announcement in an Instagram video, explaining that she did not want to do business with people who supported the president-elect, calling it necessary to create a safe space for herself, her staff, and her family.
Her decision to refuse service to Trump supporters quickly drew a backlash, leading her to close the shop for the remainder of the week due to threats against her and her business.
The backlash was immediate and intense, with many people expressing their anger through phone calls and messages. Wolter shared some of the threatening voicemails she received, which included obscene and hateful language, and some callers even threatened lawsuits, accusing her of discrimination.
While political affiliation is not a protected category under Tennessee law, many critics argued that her refusal to serve certain customers could lead to legal ramifications. Despite this, Wolter remained firm in her belief that standing up for her values would have consequences.
The threats escalated after Wolter’s initial statement, with more online hostility directed toward her. Some of the messages were abusive, calling her and her family offensive names and even taunting her with phrases like “We won” and “This is MAGA country for at least four years.”
Wolter’s decision to take a public stance against Trump supporters was part of a broader pattern of her outspoken disdain for the president and his supporters, which she had expressed on social media before the incident.
One of the more notable moments that highlighted her frustration with Trump supporters came in July, following an incident at a Trump rally in Pennsylvania, where a threat to the president’s life was narrowly avoided.
In a social media post, Wolter made it clear that she would not support or do business with anyone who supported Trump, emphasizing that the safety of her children was at stake. This post set the stage for the more recent controversy, making her stance on the matter clear to anyone who followed her online presence.
In the wake of the backlash, Wolter has made all of Everbloom Design’s social media accounts private, and her florist shop remains closed for the time being. She acknowledged the possibility of facing consequences for her outspoken views, but she maintained that she was willing to stand by her beliefs.
The situation highlights the increasing polarization in American politics, with businesses and individuals grappling with the impact of public political statements and the reactions they provoke.