VERSAILLES NORD (KDKA) – Primanti Brothers sets the record straight on claims that Republican vice presidential candidate Senator JD Vance was “forbidden” to make a political stopover in their restaurant north of Versailles on Saturday.
The restaurant says it all boiled down to momentary confusion for their staff members, adding that they were not informed in advance that Vance was coming.
Washington County GOP Chairman Sean Logue was among what he said were about 100 Trump supporters inside the restaurant who had been informed that Vance would be stopping there. They arrived an hour early.
“The manager told his clients, other Republicans, that Vance was not allowed to stop his campaign at Primanti Brothers,” Logue said. “And then when we were reluctant to say, ‘Wait a second, Kamala Harris just did that a month ago,’ the response was, ‘Well, if he wants to sit down and order food, we can’t stop it.’
When Vance arrived before an event in Monroeville, Logue said the restaurant manager ran out to tell him he wasn’t allowed in the restaurant, that he couldn’t stop a campaign there- down, and if he went inside… they would call the police and file a trespassing charge.
“I think it’s absolutely insane,” Logue said.
Vance remained outside the restaurant while one of his employees attempted to negotiate with the Primanti’s manager, who Logue said then called their corporate office.
Many Trump supporters came out of the restaurant, where Vance was taking photos.
In a statement to KDKA-TV, a Primanti spokesperson said Vance and his team were then welcomed into the restaurant where they were able to chat with various guests.
“Primanti’s is proud to be a staple of the Pittsburgh community and a proud American company that has hosted sitting presidents, politicians and political candidates from all walks of life for over 90 years. Our doors are open to all customers who wish to dine with us Without notice, today’s campaign shutdown caused some momentary confusion among our staff. However, Senator Vance and his team were welcomed into our restaurant shortly thereafter. exchanged with our guests inside and on the property “It’s a little nervous given that the Secret Service, the police and the crowd are accurately reflecting the nature of what happened, but we’re glad that it did. was resolved quickly.”
“First, he wasn’t welcome,” Logue said. “JD Vance, on his own accord, risking a trespassing charge, entered Primanti’s house, paid the bill for all of us and left two minutes later.”
Logue posted a video to the Washington County GOP Facebook page that shows Vance returning inside the restaurant. He briefly addressed supporters as he left the restaurant and returned to an SUV.
“Look, I think what happened is that she [the manager] I just kind of freaked out because there were a lot of people and she didn’t want her restaurant to be part of a campaign stop,” Vance said in a video shared by Logue. “It’s okay, don’t blame him. , she just got a little nervous, they’re a great local business, let’s continue to support them.”
Primanti responded to these comments in his statement.
We asked Logue about the positive nature of Vance’s comments.
“Vance is a real gentleman, and he was very kind and very courteous, and he was magnanimous, and he didn’t want to cause any further trouble,” Logue said. “I’m honest with you. I’m telling you that the way the Primanti brothers have treated me and other Republicans is absolutely unacceptable, and nowhere in their statement is there an apology, where is my apology, Primanti brothers.” Logue said Primanti tried to call him but he didn’t answer their calls.
In his statement, Primanti’s spokesperson said its doors are open to anyone who wants to eat there.
KDKA has reached out to a member of the Trump/Vance team for comment and is awaiting a response.
