Trump running mate Sen. J.D. Vance (R-Ohio) was barred from entering a popular sandwich shop outside of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, on Saturday, prompting outraged customers to leave the establishment.
Vance was reportedly planning to make a campaign stop at the Primanti Bros. restaurant in North Versailles, but was turned away because the restaurant’s management didn’t want to be part of the “campaign event.”
“JD Vance intended to make a stop at a Primanti Bros near Pittsburgh… but when they got there, the campaign was told no cams & restaurant didn’t want to be part of a ‘campaign event’ Vance ended up shaking hands outside in parking lot,” NBC correspondent Doug Adams reported on X.
JD Vance intended to make a stop at a Primanti Bros near Pittsburgh… but when they got there, the campaign was told no cams & restaurant didn’t want to be part of a “campaign event”
— Doug Adams (@DougNBC) September 28, 2024
Vance ended up shaking hands outside in parking lot.
He has event in Monroeville, PA this aftn
Videos from the incident show the moment disgusted customers canceled their orders and left the establishment after the management of Primanti Bros. allegedly threatened to call the police on Vance if he entered the restaurant.
NEW: JD Vance barred from entering Primanti Bros in North Versailles, PA as supporters waited for him inside, decided to pay for everyone's tabs anyway & signed with "No Taxes on Tips"
— Collin Rugg (@CollinRugg) September 28, 2024
When Vance arrived, he was reportedly told he wasn't allowed to leave his car because the… pic.twitter.com/GCuAqDYCs1
Audit The Vote Pa founder Karen Taylor claimed that the sandwich shop “just threatened to call the police on JD Vance if he got out of the car to spend time with about 50 people who came out to see him.”
“Not only did he spend time in the parking lot with each person and take pictures because they wouldn’t let him inside, he walked in and paid for the bill for the people that walked out due to the restaurant not allowing him to come in and eat,” she added.
Happening now: Primanti brothers in North Versailles PA just threatened to call the police on JD Vance if he got out of the car to spend time with about 50 people who came out to see him. The video is from a friend of mine who was there.
— Karen Taylor (@NOTURTYPCLKAREN) September 28, 2024
Not only did he spend time in the… pic.twitter.com/1HkK9Co6r2
Standing in the parking lot, Vance said he doesn’t blame the restaurant for barring him from entering, claiming they were just “nervous” about the about the commotion.
“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,” Vance said outside the restaurant as onlookers cheered.
“It’s alright, don’t hold it against them. They just got a little nervous, but it’s a great local business, let’s keep on supporting it, and most importantly, November 5th or before, go vote and let’s win this thing,” he added.
.@primantibros refused to let @JDVance in to their restaurant full of customers waiting to greet him. They all paid for their drinks, cancelled their food orders and left after hearing that VP candidate was not welcome. Here was his response #Trump2024Vance #RepublicanParty #GOP pic.twitter.com/JsggvQiuhu
— Anissa Zappala (@anissa_zappala) September 28, 2024
THIS IS OUTRAGEOUS! Went to Primanti brothers Restaurant in North Versailles, Pa to show support to JD Vance. The restaurant refused Vance and his security to enter, they told him he was not welcomed in this establishment. Watch Video! @JDVance @NEWSMAX @dbongino @primantibros pic.twitter.com/QGS7dUhGUD
— Linda Lorenz (@lindalor1018) September 28, 2024
Since the incident made headlines on social media, the restaurant has allegedly denied reports that it barred Vance from stopping inside the restaurant.
“Update: people are calling the restaurant and they are being told no one threatened to call the police and Vance was absolutely welcomed… damage control?” Taylor wrote on X.
Update: people are calling the restaurant and they are being told no one threatened to call the police and Vance was absolutely welcomed… damage control?
— Karen Taylor (@NOTURTYPCLKAREN) September 28, 2024