Something unusual happened this Thanksgiving in Yulee, Florida—a MAGA-stronghold known for its unapologetic patriotism. Publix, one of Florida’s most cherished grocery chains, refused to write “MAGA” on a custom cake. Yes, you read that right. The bakery, citing corporate policy, deemed “MAGA” too “divisive” for a cake order.
Let that sink in for a moment. A message associated with the campaign slogan of the 47th President of the United States—Donald J. Trump—is now considered too controversial for a simple cake. How did we get here?
The Incident
It started with Lisa Brown Bonfrancesco, a loyal Publix customer who placed an order for a custom cake from the Wildlight location in Yulee. Lisa requested “MAGA 2024” to celebrate Thanksgiving and her support for America’s newly re-elected president. But when she picked up the cake, she discovered something bizarre: “MAGA” had been deliberately omitted. Instead, the bakery had centered “2024” on the design and provided a little container of extra icing, leaving Lisa to write the text herself if she wanted.
Lisa was understandably upset. She had to scrape off the “2024” design and redo the message herself, which isn’t exactly what one expects when paying $43 for a custom cake. Taking to social media, Lisa shared her frustration, and many assumed this must have been a rogue employee making a personal political statement. But the truth turned out to be far more troubling.
Publix’s Response
Suzie Burns, a friend of Lisa, reached out to Publix corporate, expecting the company to be horrified by the incident. Instead, she got the official company line, which confirmed the decision wasn’t just a mistake but an actual corporate policy. Here’s the response from “Meg” at Publix corporate:
“At Publix, we care about our customers and work hard to create a pleasant shopping experience. This includes treating all customers with dignity and respect. While we are often asked to create specialty cakes with free-hand designs, the manager in charge, in each store, may decline requests including questionable images and/or verbiage. It is our mission to do our very best to satisfy all Publix customers; however, in today’s complex world, this is not always an easy task. We apologize for not exceeding your expectations with the answer you were hoping to receive.”
Let’s cut through the corporate doublespeak here: “MAGA”—a slogan about making America great—was considered “questionable” and “divisive.” Suzie pressed further, and the local Wildlight management revealed they would have allowed a cake with Kamala Harris’s slogan, “We’re not going back,” because it was deemed “more vague.” But MAGA? Too controversial. Really?
Yulee: A MAGA Stronghold
This is Yulee, Florida—hardly a hotbed of liberal activism. Yulee is deeply conservative, a community proud of its support for Donald Trump and the values he represents. For the residents here, MAGA isn’t divisive; it’s a unifying call to restore the values that made this country exceptional. So, when Publix—a company that sells itself as rooted in family and tradition—deems MAGA “divisive,” it feels like a slap in the face.
From all their feel-good commercials about American traditions, one might assume Publix shares the values of the communities it serves. But as Lisa put it, “How is Making America Great Again divisive? I just don’t get it.”
The Bigger Picture
Incidents like this reveal a deeper issue in corporate America. Companies like Publix—beloved and trusted by millions—have begun catering to a narrative that prioritizes avoiding imagined controversy over honoring the values of their customers. “Divisive” has become shorthand for silencing ideas or messages that don’t align with certain cultural or political agendas.
This isn’t just about a cake. It’s about principle. Publix has built its reputation on customer service, yet it seems willing to alienate a significant portion of its customer base by labeling their beliefs as controversial. If MAGA is divisive, what else might Publix—or other corporations—deem unfit for public expression?
What Can You Do?
If you believe this policy is out of touch with the values of the communities Publix serves, now is the time to make your voice heard. Contact Publix corporate and ask the question Lisa raised: “How is Making America Great Again divisive?”
Here’s how you can take action:
- Call or email Publix corporate offices to express your concerns.
- Share this story on social media to let others know what’s happening.
- Support businesses that respect your values.
Final Thoughts
At a time when our country is coming together after the re-election of Donald J. Trump, it’s disappointing to see companies like Publix choosing division over unity. But as this story gains traction, we hope Publix will reconsider its stance and remember who its customers are.
Eye On My City will be sharing this article across X, Facebook, and Truth Social to amplify the voices of the Yulee community—and we’ll make sure President Trump hears about it too.
This Thanksgiving, Lisa’s cake may not have turned out as planned, but her story is a reminder that we must continue to stand up for our values, even in the small things. Together, we can Make America Great Again—and yes, that includes cakes.
