Senator JD Vance Denied Entry at Iconic Pittsburgh Restaurant During Campaign Stop
CBS/screen grab
Senator JD Vance’s campaign stop in Pittsburgh took an unexpected turn when he was denied entry to the iconic Primanti Bros. Restaurant and Bar. Vance, running alongside Donald Trump, and his supporters were reportedly escorted out of the North Versailles location shortly after their arrival. The incident sparked frustration among his supporters, with some reportedly booing the employees as they were led out.
According to reports, the restaurant had been informed in advance about the campaign’s visit. However, when Vance and his team arrived, an employee told them it was “not a place to campaign” and that the Ohio senator was “not allowed in the restaurant.” To escalate matters further, the manager threatened to call the police if the group didn’t leave immediately. The response led to anger from Vance’s MAGA supporters, who expressed their frustration vocally.
This incident stood in stark contrast to the restaurant’s warm reception of Vice President Kamala Harris just a month earlier. During her visit, another Primanti Bros. location even closed early for a private event in her honor, much to the dismay of regular patrons who were told to leave early. Videos from that day showed Harris mingling with guests and enjoying her time at the restaurant.
More: JD Vance Faces Backlash Over ‘Childless’ Comments and Criticism of Educators
More: The ‘Crowd’ for JD Vance in Michigan: 10 Rows of 10 Seats?
Despite being turned away, Vance made the best of the situation. He and his supporters remained outside the restaurant, where he engaged with fans and even paid for their meals. In a show of goodwill, Vance shared, “We paid for everybody’s food, we gave them a nice tip, and, of course, when I gave a nice tip, I said no taxes on tips,” making a playful jab at Harris.
In a video captured by Fox News, Vance could be seen speaking with employees of Primanti Bros. after the incident, encouraging his supporters not to hold any grudges. “It’s all right, don’t hold it against [the worker],” he said. “She just got a little nervous, but it’s a great local business. Let’s keep on supporting it.”
More: Whoopi Goldberg Slams J.D. Vance Over Comments on Trump Assassination Attempts
More: Vance Under Fire for Spreading Baseless Claim About Haitian Immigrants in Ohio
Primanti Bros. later issued a statement clarifying the situation, noting that there had been some confusion during the campaign stop but emphasizing that “our doors are open to all patrons who wish to dine with us.” They added that Vance and his team were eventually welcomed into the restaurant and interacted with guests inside. Despite the initial hiccup, Vance maintained his high regard for the iconic Pittsburgh eatery.
