Political tensions flared in Pennsylvania as Republican Senate candidate JD Vance, Donald Trump’s running mate, was met with a frosty reception at a popular local restaurant. Primanti Bros. Restaurant and Bar in North Versailles, Pittsburgh, a beloved spot among locals, reportedly denied entry to Vance and his supporters, citing a ‘private event’ as the reason. This incident has sparked outrage and accusations of double standards, as the same restaurant had hosted Vice President Kamala Harris and her campaign team just months prior.
Vance’s campaign team alleged that an employee informed them that the restaurant was ‘not a campaign stop’ and that ‘JD’s not allowed in,’ leading to a heated exchange and angry reactions from Vance’s supporters. The restaurant manager further threatened to call the police if the campaign did not leave immediately.
The incident has drawn parallels to August 2024 when Primanti Bros. hosted a private event for Vice President Harris, leading to the restaurant’s early closure for regular customers. This prompted accusations of a double standard, with many questioning the restaurant’s seemingly different treatment of the two campaigns.
Despite the denial, Vance and his supporters met outside the restaurant, where Vance addressed the crowd, urging them to remain calm and avoid holding any grudges against the restaurant employees. He emphasized that the restaurant was a great local business and encouraged continued support, playing down the incident to avoid escalating the situation.
Pennsylvania holds significant political weight as a swing state with 19 electoral college votes, making it crucial for both presidential candidates. This incident has further intensified the political climate in the state, adding another layer of controversy to the already heated election season. The incident has also raised questions about the role of businesses in political campaigning and the potential for bias in providing access to public spaces.
