Vice Presidential Candidate Sen. J.D. Vance missed a Pittsburgh culinary venue after he was apparently kicked out from meeting supporters inside — while the same restaurant chain allowed the Kamala Harris-Tim Walz campaign to meet with its supporters.
When the vice presidential campaign stopped at the Primanti Brothers Restaurant and Bar in North Versailles, Pennsylvania, on Saturday, their plans for excited supporters were cut short when they were immediately escorted out by staff, a source familiar with the campaign told Fox News Digital. . , The source said Primanti Brothers management was aware that Trump-Vance was planning to halt the campaign.
An employee told the campaign it was “not a campaign stop” and “JD is not allowed in,” the source said, with the manager threatening to call the police if they didn’t leave.
Trump-Vance supporters retaliated, prompting staff to walk out, the source said.
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Supporters celebrate outside Primanti Brothers Restaurant and Bar in North Versailles, PA following the arrival of Vice Presidential candidate Senator JD Vance. (Trump-Vance campaign)
A supporter shakes JD Vance’s hand outside Primanti Brothers Restaurant and Bar in North Versailles, PA on Saturday. (Trump-Vance campaign)
The Trump campaign’s lukewarm reception at the restaurant chain stands in contrast to how the Harris-Walz campaign was treated just a month earlier when they visited a Primanti Brothers location in Moon Township, Pennsylvania.
Harris’ campaign stopped at a Primanti Brothers location on August 18 – much to the dismay of locals, who were escorted out of the restaurant.
“I wanted to watch some sports and enjoy lunch,” Mark Dodson previously told Fox News Digital. “About 3:30, the bartender, she says, ‘It’s last call’ – what do you mean by last call?”
Vice President Democratic presidential nominee Kamala Harris greets diners at Primanti Brothers Restaurant & Bar during a bus campaign tour stop on August 18 in Moon Township, PA. (Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images)
Employees informed the Pennsylvania native that the restaurant was closing early for a private event.
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The private event was the arrival of the Harris campaign team, with video from inside the event showing Harris and the second gentleman, Douglas Emhoff, greeting patrons.
Supporters of former Republican presidential nominee Trump hold signs and flags as Vice President-elect Democratic presidential nominee Kamala Harris stops on a bus campaign tour at Primanti Brothers Restaurant & Bar on August 18 in Moon Township, PA. (Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images)
Outside, expelled patrons and Trump supporters protested the event. Others verbally accused the campaign of employing “actors” – as captured in video of Harris’ visit by ABC News, which showed a full dining room full of people enjoying their meals. Were.
“Oh hell, all these artists are in these vans,” a man was heard shouting. Anti-Harris protesters,
JD Vance speaks to supporters outside the Primanti Brothers Restaurant and Bar location in Pennsylvania. (Trump-Vance campaign)
Despite the Vance campaign being kicked out of the local establishment on Saturday, the campaign was met with supporters outside the restaurant.
Photos of the impromptu event outside show Vance greeting excited patrons.
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Before leaving, Vance addressed a crowd of supporters gathered outside the facility.
Vance said, “We paid for everybody’s meal, we gave them a good tip and of course, when I gave a good tip, I said there’s no tax on the tip.” a trump proposal,
He said, “It’s okay, don’t hold it against (the employee).” “She was a little nervous, but it’s a great local business. Let’s keep supporting it.”
Watch:
Exclusive video obtained by Fox News Digital shows Vance talking with Primanti Brothers employees after the run-in.
Vance was heard telling an employee, “I don’t think he paid for his meal, so we’ll cover it.”
The employee was heard saying, “I appreciate it, thank you.”
“And keep the change,” Vance said. “I’m sure there will be a fair amount of it. And, you know, there’s no tax on tips. That’s one of the things we’re trying to minimize.”
“Yes, we are in favor of it!” The employee is heard saying.
JD Vance signs a book at a campaign stop on Saturday. Vance was not allowed to hold a meet and greet at the Primanti Brothers Restaurant and Bar location. (Trump-Vance campaign)
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Fox News Digital contacted the Primanti Brothers. main office in Pittsburgh, and was directed to a representative’s email address. That representative did not immediately respond.
Fox News Digital’s Charles Kreitz contributed to this report.
