Business owners John and Lucas Xitco are currently facing a violent boycott of their Tacoma establishments. The backlash follows a social media claim that a $1,250 donation to a tax-repeal campaign was actually support for anti-transgender activism.
The $1,250 tax-repeal donation that sparked a mob
The controversy centers on a financial contribution made by John and Lucas Xitco, the co-owners of E9 Brewing, Asado steakhouse, and Frisko Freeze. According to the report, the brothers donated a total of $1,250 to a campaign focused on repealing Washington state's 9.9 percent income tax. While the donation was earmarked for tax repeal, it was publicly framed as an endorsement of anti-transgender initiatives.
The fallout began on August 23 when Zev Cook, a former Tacoma City Council candidate and co-chair of the local Democratic Socialists of America (DSA) chapter, posted an Instagram video. Cook's video identified the Xitco-owned businesses as backers of what he termed "anti-trans initiatives," leading to immediate hostility and protests involving torches outside the brothers' business locations.
The January 22, 2026 law and the overlap of social policy
The confusion appears to stem from the broader legislative package that eventually became law on January 22, 2026. While the primary goal of the campaign the Xitcos supported was the income tax repeal, the resulting legislation also included measures limiting the participation of transgender athletes in female sports and a "parents' bill of rights."
This intersection of economic and social policy is a recurring flashpoint in modern political activism, where support for one part of a legislative bundle is interpreted as endorsement of the whole. As reported, radio host John Curley defended the Xitcos by stating they were focused on local economic policy rather than the social policy allegations leveled against them by the DSA.
Twenty-five E9 Brewing employees facing job instability
The economic consequences of the byocott have extended beyond the owners to their workforce. According to the report, approximately 25 employees at E9 Brewing are now dealing with uncertain working hours or the possibility of dismissal due to the decline in patronage and the intensity of the protests.
The Xitco brothers have a long history of community investment in Tacoma, having grown a family petroleum business from $40 million to $600 million before divesting in 2016. Their philanthropic efforts include a significant gift to MultiCare Mary Bridge Children's Hospital following their son Chase's time in the intensive care unit, a detail John Curley used to highlight the brothers' deep ties to the community .
The libel hurdles and the silence of the Xitco brothers
Whether the Xitco brothers can seek legal recourse remains a point of contention. When asked by KIRO producer Joe Wallace about the possibility of a libel suit, John Curley noted that the legal path is complicated because the accusations are wrapped in "political speech," which often receives broader protection under the law.
Notably, the source report does not include direct statements from John or Lucas Xitco themselves, leaving it unclear how the brothers intend to handle the ongoing boycott or if they will pursue legal action. while they have attempted to defuse the situation by donating to LGBTQ+ groups, Curley warned that such concessions often invite further scrutiny rather than resolution, citing the 2020 destruction of Rove Vintage and the arson of Flora Westbrooks' salon as precedents for mob-driven targeting.
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