{"id":2654112,"date":"2026-09-03T12:40:02","date_gmt":"2026-09-03T16:40:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/indiana-corn-maze-addresses-backlash-over-charlie-kirk-design\/"},"modified":"2026-09-03T12:42:01","modified_gmt":"2026-09-03T16:42:01","slug":"indiana-corn-maze-addresses-backlash-over-charlie-kirk-design","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/indiana-corn-maze-addresses-backlash-over-charlie-kirk-design\/","title":{"rendered":"Indiana corn maze addresses backlash over Charlie Kirk design"},"content":{"rendered":"<aside class=\"mashsb-container mashsb-main mashsb-stretched\"><div class=\"mashsb-box\"><div class=\"mashsb-count mash-medium\" style=\"&quot;\"><div class=\"counts mashsbcount\">18<\/div><span class=\"mashsb-sharetext\">SHARES<\/span><\/div><div class=\"mashsb-buttons\"><a class=\"mashicon-facebook mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservativenewsdaily.net%2Fbreaking-news%2Findiana-corn-maze-addresses-backlash-over-charlie-kirk-design%2F\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Facebook<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-twitter mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/intent\/tweet?text=&amp;url=https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/?p=2654112&amp;via=ConservNewsDly\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Twitter<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-subscribe mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"#\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Subscribe<\/span><\/a><div class=\"onoffswitch2 mash-medium mashsb-noshadow\" style=\"display:none\"><\/div><\/div>\n            <\/div>\n                <div style=\"clear:both\"><\/div><\/aside>\n            <!-- Share buttons by mashshare.net - Version: 4.0.47--><p>Goebel Farms, a family-operated farm in Evansville, Indiana, defended its 2026 corn maze design honoring Charlie Kirk after facing backlash. The farm explained that the maze does not endorse all beliefs but emphasizes the importance of free speech and respectful disagreement without violence. The maze features Kirk&#8217;s likeness and a memorial message indicating his death on September 10, 2025, by a gunman during a speech at Utah Valley University. The farm&#8217;s tribute was intended to highlight the value of open dialog,but it sparked negative reviews and comments online,with some calling for the farm\u2019s shutdown and criticizing the political content. In response, the farm acknowledged the community\u2019s feedback and clarified that their intention was to honor the principle of free speech amid tragic circumstances. The case of Kirk&#8217;s death involves a suspect charged with his murder, and the farm had previously created diverse maze designs, including tributes to first responders and pop culture icons. The farm expressed hope that Americans continue to engage in honest, respectful debate and reiterated its commitment to dignity and community dialogue.  <\/p>\n<p class=\"readmore\">\n    <button onclick=\"showReadMore()\" id=\"readmorebtn\">Read more&#8230;<\/button>\n<\/p>\n<hr id=\"line\">\n<span id=\"more\"><\/p>\n<article class=\"fn-body\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Goebel Farms, a family farm in Evansville, <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/indiana\/\">Indiana<\/a>, issued a statement Wednesday defending its 2026 corn maze design honoring <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/charlie-kirk\/\" data-type=\"post_tag\" data-id=\"4089\">Charlie Kirk<\/a> after facing backlash from customers. <\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cOur corn maze is not an endorsement of every belief or statement. It reflects our conviction that Americans should be able to speak, disagree, and challenge ideas without hatred or <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/violence\/\">violence<\/a>. We welcome people of all beliefs, and we are listening to our community,\u201d Goebel Farms <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/p\/DczTrWfGGVt\/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&#038;igsi=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==\">wrote on Instagram.<\/a><\/p>\n<section class=\"explore-more-section\" id=\"wex-recommended-widget\">\n<div class=\"magazine-container single\">\n<h1 class=\"magazine-title mt-2\">Recommended Stories<\/h1>\n<p>             <i class=\"fa-solid fa-play icon\"><\/i>         <\/div>\n<div class=\"explore-grid\">\n<div class=\"explore-card\">                         <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/4711355\/gloria-steinem-feminist-leader-die-92\/?itm_source=parsely-api\">                             <\/p>\n<div class=\"explore-thumb-wrap\">                                                                                                                                  <\/div>\n<h3>Gloria Steinem, outspoken feminist leader, dies at 92<\/h3>\n<p>                         <\/a>                     <\/div>\n<div class=\"explore-card\">                         <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/4711280\/elon-musk-america-pac-2026-midterm-elections-spending\/?itm_source=parsely-api\">                             <\/p>\n<div class=\"explore-thumb-wrap\">                                                                                                                                  <\/div>\n<h3>Elon Musk\u2019s America PAC enters the 2026 midterm elections, spending over $800,000 on campaigns<\/h3>\n<p>                         <\/a>                     <\/div>\n<div class=\"explore-card\">                         <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/4711258\/southern-command-sinks-refueling-vessel-los-choneros-terrorist-organization\/?itm_source=parsely-api\">                             <\/p>\n<div class=\"explore-thumb-wrap\">                                                                                                                                  <\/div>\n<h3>US Southern Command sinks refueling vessel linked to Los Choneros terrorist organization<\/h3>\n<p>                         <\/a>                     <\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/section>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cPeople are free to challenge ideas, criticize them and reject them\u2014but violence must never become the response to speech. That is central to the meaning behind our maze.\u201d<\/p>\n<div class=\"wex-inarticle-ad wex-inarticle-ad-art-dsk-inart-1\">\n<div class=\"wex-ad-wrap wex-ad-art-dsk-inart-1\" style=\"min-height:90px\"><span class=\"wex-ad-label\" hidden>Advertisement<\/span><\/p>\n<div id=\"div-gpt-ad-3182201-15\" data-wex-ad=\"art-dsk-inart-1\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"article-paywall\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The farm released its newest maze modeled after Kirk on <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/p\/DcymoxVMleI\/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&#038;igsi=MzRlODBiNWFlZA%3D%3D\">Instagram<\/a> on Wednesday, tagging the accounts of Charlie Kirk, <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/erika-kirk\/\">Erica Kirk<\/a>, and <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/turning-point-usa\/\">Turning Point USA<\/a>. The bottom of the maze shows the words \u201cRIP CK\u201d and appears to also include the date of Charlie\u2019s death, \u201c9 10 25.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Kirk, a popular conservative activist, was <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/3801410\/charlie-kirk-utah-valley-university-shooting\/\">shot and killed<\/a> while speaking to students at Utah Valley University on Sept. 10, 2025. <\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The suspect, 23-year-old Tyler Robinson, has <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/justice\/4707645\/tyler-robinson-trial-allegedly-killing-charlie-kirk\/\">been charged <\/a>with aggravated murder and discharge of a firearm causing serious bodily injury.<\/p>\n<div class=\"wex-inarticle-ad wex-inarticle-ad-art-dsk-inart-2\">\n<div class=\"wex-ad-wrap wex-ad-art-dsk-inart-2\" style=\"min-height:90px\"><span class=\"wex-ad-label\" hidden>Advertisement<\/span><\/p>\n<div id=\"div-gpt-ad-3182201-16\" data-wex-ad=\"art-dsk-inart-2\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The business faced harsh backlash online over the design choice. As of Thursday morning, the farm has disabled comments on some of its Instagram posts.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">According to Fox49 in Indianapolis, the business received dozens of negative Google reviews, and the farm owners <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/fox59.com\/news\/local-pumpkin-farm-faces-backlash-following-tribute-to-charlie-kirk\/amp\/\">reported those reviews<\/a> to Google for policy violation.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Negative <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.yelp.com\/biz\/goebel-farms-evansville#reviews\">Yelp reviews<\/a> have plummeted the online rating of the farm, which also sells pumpkins and Christmas trees.<\/p>\n<div class=\"wex-inarticle-ad wex-inarticle-ad-art-dsk-inart-3\">\n<div class=\"wex-ad-wrap wex-ad-art-dsk-inart-3\" style=\"min-height:90px\"><span class=\"wex-ad-label\" hidden>Advertisement<\/span><\/p>\n<div id=\"div-gpt-ad-3182201-17\" data-wex-ad=\"art-dsk-inart-3\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cWe used to get out trees here, but that stops now that we know exactly who these owners are,\u201d one review from Wednesday said.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cA corn maze is supposed to be something fun, not some dumb political bullshit,\u201d another reviewer said.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Other reviews said, \u201cHonestly, involving Charlie Kirk and politics with Goebel Farms was one of the worst business decisions you could have made.\u201d<\/p>\n<div class=\"wex-inarticle-ad wex-inarticle-ad-art-dsk-inart-4\">\n<div class=\"wex-ad-wrap wex-ad-art-dsk-inart-4\" style=\"min-height:90px\"><span class=\"wex-ad-label\" hidden>Advertisement<\/span><\/p>\n<div id=\"div-gpt-ad-3182201-25\" data-wex-ad=\"art-dsk-inart-4\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cThis farm should be shut down. The owners, operators, and workers are all out of their minds.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Some people on Yelp offered words of encouragement, saying, \u201cIt\u2019s sad that they\u2019re getting such hateful comments. Charlie was not a hater.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cGod bless you. Stay strong with these toddlers having meltdowns.\u201d<\/p>\n<div class=\"wex-inarticle-ad wex-inarticle-ad-art-dsk-inart-5\">\n<div class=\"wex-ad-wrap wex-ad-art-dsk-inart-5\" style=\"min-height:90px\"><span class=\"wex-ad-label\" hidden>Advertisement<\/span><\/p>\n<div id=\"div-gpt-ad-3182201-26\" data-wex-ad=\"art-dsk-inart-5\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Some reviews quoted excerpts from Kirk, but the farm said they can lack context, as with any public figure.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cWe are aware of several quotations being shared in response to our decision. As with remarks by any public figure, selected excerpts do not always convey the surrounding discussion, intended meaning or later clarification. We encourage people to examine complete sources and context. At the same time, our tribute does not require anyone to defend or agree with everything Charlie said,\u201d the farm said in its statement.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The business said they initially chose to honor Kirk because \u201che understood that when people stop talking, division deepens and others become easier to dehumanize. He was killed while participating in the kind of open exchange he championed, and we honor the principle that disagreement must never be answered with violence.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The farm has done multiple <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/goebelfarms.com\/corn-maze-2024\/corn-maze-gallery-2\/\">corn maze designs<\/a> over the years, including an image of Jay Leno, the cover art for the movie \u201cNarnia: Prince Caspian,\u201d Star Trek, Indiana Jones, and designs honoring U.S. Troops.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The farm\u2019s <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/p\/DOe_KKQDABV\/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&#038;igsi=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==\">2025 design<\/a> honored first responders and was announced on the 24th anniversary of the <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/september-11-terrorist-attacks\/\">September 11 terrorist attacks<\/a>. The design featured logos for fire and EMS crews, as well as police.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Wednesday\u2019s statement also said the farm recognizes \u201cthat using Charlie\u2019s image carries meaning beyond the message we intended, and we are listening to the community\u2019s response.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/justice\/4707645\/tyler-robinson-trial-allegedly-killing-charlie-kirk\/\"><strong>TYLER ROBINSON WILL STAND TRIAL ON CHARGES FOR ALLEGEDLY KILLING CHARLIE KIRK: JUDGE<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cOur hope remains simple: that Americans can speak openly, disagree honestly and challenge one another\u2019s ideas without hatred or violence\u2014and that our community can continue treating its members with dignity and respect.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The <em>Washington Examiner<\/em> contacted Goebel Farms for comment.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<p><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Goebel Farms defends Charlie Kirk maze amid backlash<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4226,"featured_media":2654113,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_mo_disable_npp":"","fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/AP25273701761876.jpg?w=696","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[33651],"tags":[4265,44291,50410,85079,7006],"class_list":["post-2654112","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-the-western-journal","tag-backlash","tag-charlie-kirk","tag-controversy-2","tag-corn-maze","tag-indiana"],"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/AP25273701761876.jpg?w=696","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2654112","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/4226"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2654112"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2654112\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2654116,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2654112\/revisions\/2654116"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2654113"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2654112"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2654112"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2654112"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}