A Pittsburgh restaurant has refused to admit Republican vice-presidential candidate JD Vance, where he was supposed to speak; he instead addressed supporters in the parking lot.
Vance arrived at Primanti Bros in North Versailles, Pennsylvania, east of Pittsbugh, on Saturday evening, but a restaurant worker told him he and the press were not allowed inside.
Newsweek has contacted the Trump/Vance campaign for comment via email.
Videos posted to social media showed that the restaurant was filled with customers waiting for Vance to arrive, who proceeded to cancel their orders and leave when he was refused entry.
JD Vance is seen at a campaign event in Newtown, Pennsylvania, on September 28, 2024. A Pittsburgh restaurant refused to admit Vance, where he was supposed to speak; he instead addressed supporters in the parking lot.
Laurence Kesterson/ASSOCIATED PRESS
Another video posted to social media showed Vance addressing supporters in the parking lot after being asked not to come in.
“It’s alright, don’t hold it against her,” Vance said. “She just got a little nervous, but it’s a great local business, let’s keep on supporting it, but most importantly, November 5th, or before, go vote, let’s go win this thing.”
Trump supporting X account @MJTruthUltra called for a boycott of the restaurant for the treatment of the Ohio Senator, writing “BREAKING: Primanti Bros restaurant in Pittsburgh, PA Refused to let JD Vance in to Greet his Supporters! BOYCOTT THEM! SHARE EVERYWHERE! All the supporters paid for their drinks but cancelled their food in mass. GO WOKE GO BROKE!”
Another X user, @GreenKM117, also called for a boycott of the restaurant, writing: “The supporters paid for their drinks, cancelled their orders, and left. ALL PATRIOTS IN PITTSBURGH. STOP SUPPORTING THIS ESTABLISHMENT.” The post was viewed 156,000 times by Sunday morning.
The restaurant posted a notice on its Facebook page, saying that it has hosted sitting presidents, politicians, and political candidates from across the spectrum for over 90 years, and that the incident had been the result of a misunderstanding.
“Our doors are open to all patrons who wish to dine with us,” the restaurant wrote in the statement.
“Without any advance notice, today’s campaign stop caused some momentary confusion for our staff. However, Senator Vance and his team were welcomed into our restaurant shortly after and engaged with our guests inside and on the property,” the statement read. “Senator Vance’s supportive comments that our manager got a little nervous given the secret service, police and crowd accurately reflect the nature of what occurred, and we are glad that it was resolved quickly.”
Meanwhile another user, @sensiblemiddle, applauded the restaurant for its decision, posting a clip of the staff member refusing to admit Vance, and writing: “Now THAT’s an AMERICAN business that I can get behind!”
Vance’s campaign has been mired by awkward interactions, including a viral encounter with a Georgia donut shop employee in August, and earlier in September, botching a photo opportunity relating to the price of eggs.
Vance has repeatedly made headlines for his statements about women and children, as well as for his strong involvement with Project 2025, a controversial proposed policy document by The Heritage Foundation, which the Trump campaign has attempted to distance itself from.
He also promoted claims about Haitian immigrants in Springfield, Ohio, his own constituents, abducting and eating pets—claims that have been debunked. He continues to stand by the claim, despite a group representing the town’s Haitian community having filed criminal charges against him.
Vance has consistently received negative net approval in polls since Trump announced him as his running mate.
