Trump's gaffe about Utah coffee shops provides ammunition for Evan McMullin's takedown


Former CIA operative Evan McMullin is aiming to disrupt the presidential election by robbing both Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump of Utah and possibly other Mountain West states. In doing so, he would become the first Independent candidate to win electoral votes in almost 50 years. At the very least, McMullin could also realistically flip deep-red Utah from Trump to Clinton; Mormon voters have been hesitant to rally behind Trump, and McMullin is a practicing Mormon himself.
Any way you put it, McMullin is likely making Trump worried. RealClearPolitics' average has Trump up six points, trailed by McMullin, while other polls have Trump just two or three points ahead. An Emerson poll in mid-October actually showed McMullin up four points on Trump.
Trump has lashed out at McMullin, claiming McMullin "can't do anything" and painting him as "this character that's running all over the state … going from coffee shop to coffee shop." McMullin doesn't seem terribly concerned about Trump's ire, though:
The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
In an interview for Politico's "Open Mike" video series, McMullin, 40 — a practicing Mormon who went to Brigham Young University and on a Mormon mission to Brazil — needled Trump again."The funny thing is a lot of people in Utah are Mormons, and they don't drink coffee," he said, sitting down over hummus and ice water at the Hawk 'n' Dove on Capitol Hill. "So, we've done zero campaigning in coffee shops. If Donald Trump were truly interested in the state and in the voters, he might know a thing or two about that."McMullin added with a smile that dessert is "what we do in Utah. We have a lot of desserts, a lot of sugar-infused treats, and that's what we do instead of coffee." [Politico]
Read more about McMullin's long shot candidacy, and how he could still tip the election, at Politico.
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Jeva Lange was the executive editor at TheWeek.com. She formerly served as The Week's deputy editor and culture critic. She is also a contributor to Screen Slate, and her writing has appeared in The New York Daily News, The Awl, Vice, and Gothamist, among other publications. Jeva lives in New York City. Follow her on Twitter.
-
‘Are we just going to stand in passive witness to the degradation of our democracy?’
Instant Opinion Opinion, comment and editorials of the day
-
Do Republicans have a health care plan?
Today's Big Question The shutdown hinges on the answer
-
The new age of book banning
The Explainer How America’s culture wars collided with parents and legislators who want to keep their kids away from ‘dangerous’ ideas
-
‘Vile, racist’ leaked chats roil Young Republicans
Speed Read Leaders of Young Republican groups made racist, antisemitic and violent comments in private chats
-
Trump ties $20B Argentina bailout to Milei votes
speed read Trump will boost Argentina’s economy — if the country’s right-wing president wins upcoming elections
-
News organizations reject Pentagon restrictions
Speed Read The proposed policy is Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth’s latest move to limit press access at the Pentagon
-
Trump declares end to Gaza war, ‘dawn’ of new Mideast
Speed Read Hamas freed the final 20 living Israeli hostages and Israel released thousands of Palestinian detainees
-
Trump DOJ indicts New York AG Letitia James
Speed Read New York Attorney General Letitia James was indicted as Trump’s Justice Department pursues charges against his political opponents
-
Judge blocks Trump’s Guard deployment in Chicago
Speed Read The president is temporarily blocked from federalizing the Illinois National Guard or deploying any Guard units in the state
-
Trump urges jail for Illinois, Chicago leaders
Speed Read The Texas National Guard begin operations in the Chicago area
-
Bondi stonewalls on Epstein, Comey in Senate face-off
Speed Read Attorney General Pam Bondi denied charges of using the Justice Department in service of Trump’s personal vendettas