You’ve probably seen YETI coolers before — the big, tough ones folks take camping or throw in the back of a truck for a fishing trip.
They’re known for being strong, reliable, and not cheap. But lately, the company has been making waves for something that has nothing to do with ice or drinks — and everything to do with politics.
YETI is now facing a storm of criticism after canceling an order from the Clare Boothe Luce Center for Conservative Women.
What was the big problem? The word “conservative.”
That’s right. The group wanted to put their logo — which includes the word “conservative” — on some mugs for an event.
The group says they’ve ordered the same design in the past without issue, but this time YETI said no and canceled the order.
And now, a lot of longtime YETI fans are feeling pretty cold toward the company.
Looks like it’s time for @YETICoolers to get the Budlight treatment.
They refused to print “Conservative Women” on the mugs that were already paid for, and cancelled the order. https://t.co/jmb5R8OCQq
— Heatherheather007 (@LibertyValkyrie) March 25, 2025
A Cooler Company, or a Culture War Casualty?
For years, YETI has been a favorite among outdoorsmen, hunters, and everyday folks who just want a good cooler that keeps the drinks cold.
Many of those same people also happen to lean conservative — and they’re not happy.
Social media lit up with calls for a boycott. Some folks posted videos tossing out their YETI gear.
Others simply said they’d be shopping elsewhere from now on — maybe over at RTIC, a competitor that’s been gaining fans in recent years.
Freedom of Speech or Corporate Overreach?
So why did YETI cancel the order?
The company hasn’t said much, but the message a lot of people are getting is loud and clear.
Now, of course, private companies can decide who they do business with. But that goes both ways.
Consumers also have the freedom to take their dollars elsewhere — and that’s exactly what many conservatives are doing.
What Critics Say
To be fair, not everyone thinks this is a big deal.
Some on the left argue that YETI has a right to set its own branding policies and that it wasn’t trying to “cancel” anyone.
They say companies just want to avoid controversy and stay out of politics altogether.
But that argument falls flat when you look at the big picture.
Many of these same companies have no problem putting rainbow flags on their products for Pride Month or supporting left-leaning causes.
So why is the word “conservative” suddenly too hot to handle?
That’s the question a lot of folks are asking.
A Bigger Trend
This isn’t the first time a well-known brand has faced backlash from the right.
Remember when Bud Light teamed up with a controversial social media influencer last year?
That decision cost them dearly — with a reported $400 million drop in sales, according to Anheuser-Busch’s earnings report.
And now YETI may be headed down the same trail.
It’s all part of a bigger trend where companies try to walk a political tightrope — but often end up leaning left.
Final Thoughts
If YETI wants to stay out of politics, that’s fine. But companies shouldn’t pick and choose which side gets silenced.
When you start canceling orders over a single word, it says a lot more about your company than it does about your customers.
This article was written with the assistance of AI. Please verify information and consult additional sources as needed.
