NORTH VERSAILLES (KDKA) – Primanti Brothers set the record straight on claims that the Republican vice presidential candidate Sen. JD Vance “banned” to stop politics in the North Versailles restaurant on Friday.
The restaurant said it was all a moment of confusion for its staff members, and they were not notified in advance of Vance’s arrival.
Washington County GOP Chairman Sean Logue was among the 100 or so Trump supporters at the restaurant who had been tipped off that Vance would stop there. He arrived an hour early.
“The manager told the patrons, other Republicans, that Vance was not allowed to stop campaigning at Primanti Brothers,” Logue said. “And when there was pushback to say, ‘Wait a minute, Kamala Harris only did this a month ago,’ the response was, ‘Well, if she wants to sit down and order food, we can’t stop her.
When Vance arrived before the event in Monroeville, Logue said the manager of the restaurant came out to tell him that he was not allowed in the restaurant, that he could not stop campaigning, and that if he did enter – he would call the police and file trespassing charges.
“I think it’s really crazy,” Logue said.
Vance remained outside the restaurant while one of the employees tried to negotiate with Primanti’s manager, who Logue said then called the corporate office.
Many Trump supporters exited the restaurant, where Vance was taking pictures.
In a statement to KDKA-TV, a Primanti spokesman said Vance and his team were then welcomed to the restaurant where they were able to talk to different guests.
“Primanti is proud to be a staple of the Pittsburgh community and a proud American business that has served presidents, politicians, and political candidates from across the spectrum for more than 90 years. Our doors are open to all customers who want to dine with us. . Without prior notice, today’s campaign causing some momentary confusion for our staff, Senator Vance and his team were immediately welcomed into the restaurant and involved guests inside and on the property a little nervous because the secret service, the police and the crowd accurately described what happened, but we are glad that it was done so quickly .
“Number one, they’re not welcome,” Logue said. “JD Vance, of his own volition, bore the charges of trespass, walked into Primanti, paid the bill for all of us, and walked out two minutes later.”
Logue posted a video to the Washington County GOP Facebook page showing Vance walking back into the restaurant. He briefly addressed supporters as he left the restaurant and returned to his SUV.
“Look, I think what happened is that he (the manager) was just a little bit scared because there were so many people and he didn’t want to make his restaurant part of the campaign,” Vance said, in a video shared by Logue. . “It’s okay, don’t go on, they’re a little nervous, it’s a good local business, let’s support it.”
Primanti made these comments in a statement.
We asked Logue about the positive nature of Vance’s comments.
“Vance is a real gentleman, and he’s very kind and he’s very nice, and he’s very nice, and he doesn’t want to cause any more trouble,” Logue said. “I’m being honest with you. I said that the way the Primanti Brothers treated me and other Republicans was completely unacceptable, and nowhere in my apology statement did I apologize to the Primanti Brothers.” Logue said Primanti had tried to call him but he wouldn’t pick up the phone.
In this explanation, the spokesperson of Primanti said that the door is open for anyone who wants to eat there.
KDKA reached out to members of the Trump/Vance team for comment and is awaiting a response.
