A southwest Pennsylvania restaurant employee moved to restrict Republican Ohio Sen. JD Vance’s entrance into the establishment Saturday, forcing waiting supporters to move outside to greet him, according to reports.
Vance appeared at Primanti Brothers in North Versailles Township to meet supporters but one of the sandwich shop’s workers “told the press that cameras were not allowed and that they did not want a ‘campaign event,”‘ according to NBC News reporter Gary Grumbach.
Another advance issue w/ Team Vance:
After showing up to Primanti Bros. in North Versailles, PA, a restaurant worker told the press that cameras were not allowed and that they did not want a “campaign event.”
Vance ended up glad-handing in parking lot outside, per @AlecAHernandez pic.twitter.com/BgCbFWl52a— Gary Grumbach (@GaryGrumbach) September 28, 2024
Video shows an apparently charged scene a presumed patron claims Vance supporters in the restaurant were canceling their food orders and leaving upon learning Vance was barred. It also showed what appeared to be Vance’s SUV waiting in the parking lot. (RELATED: Restaurant Owner Kicks Out Sarah Sanders)
This is a video of the hospitality @primantibros provided to everyone waiting for @JDVance pic.twitter.com/fdyzxQWtOn
— Anissa Zappala (@anissa_zappala) September 28, 2024
Another video appears to show Vance reacting outside the restaurant.
“We paid for everybody’s food. We gave them a nice tip and, of course, when I gave a nice tip, I said, ‘No taxes on tips,’” Vance said.
“Now, it’s all right; don’t hold it against [the worker]. She just got a little nervous, but it’s a great local business. Let’s keep on supporting it. And, most importantly, November 5th or before: go vote, let’s go win this thing,” he added to cheers and applause.
.@primantibros refused to let @JDVance in to their restaurant full of customers waiting to greet him. They all paid for their drinks, cancelled their food orders and left after hearing that VP candidate was not welcome. Here was his response #Trump2024Vance #RepublicanParty #GOP pic.twitter.com/JsggvQiuhu
— Anissa Zappala (@anissa_zappala) September 28, 2024
“Without any advance notice, today’s campaign stop caused some momentary confusion for our staff,” a Saturday statement posted by Primanti Brothers to X (formerly known as Twitter) reads. “However, Senator Vance and his team were welcomed into our restaurant shortly after and engaged with our guests inside and on the property.”
— Primanti Bros (@primantibros) September 28, 2024
Vance eventually entered the restaurant and spoke with an employee while paying the bill and promoting the Trump campaign’s “No tax on tips” plan, video obtained by Fox News shows.
Primanti Bros. allowed the Harris-Walz campaign to use its shop in Moon Township in August 2024. A local diner complained to Fox News Digital about being kicked out of the shop; protesters were recorded greeting the Democratic presidential campaign.
Rumors circulated online that the diners at the Harris event were paid actors brought along in white vans. Fact-checking website Snopes stated it had “yet to find any credible evidence of involvement from ‘paid actors.’”
U.S. Secret Service spokesperson Alexi Worley told Snopes the event was “a volunteer appreciation event” and that the white vans were “part of the Secret Service’s motorcade, ‘transporting members of the campaign staff and press.’”
The incident involving Vance and Primanti drew mixed reactions online.
“You are such a classy guy @JDVance !” said a commenter.
“Make sure everyone goes on Yelp and give them a 0 Star review,” another said.
“Boycott @Primantibros,” another said.
“Where’s the advance team?… and why does Vance keep making this mistake over and over?” another asked.
Earlier videos circulating online show Vance at a different Pennsylvania business on Sept. 22, 2024 bemoaning the high price of eggs.
JD Vance: “Yes, buddy. Want some eggs? Let’s talk about eggs. Because these guys [pointing to his kids] actually eat about 14 eggs every single morning.”
pic.twitter.com/Ae6Asr6DFA— 💋🇺🇸 Country Over Party🇺🇸🇮🇱🇺🇦🇹🇼 (@gagirlpolitics) September 22, 2024
“Eggs when Kamala Harris took office were short of $1.50 a dozen,” Vance said. “Now a dozen eggs will cost you around $4, thanks to Kamala Harris’s inflationary policies.”
Viewers pointed out online how some of the lower-priced tags on the crates behind Vance in the video showed $2.99, The Independent reported.
A video of Vance ordering donuts during a campaign stop showed an apparently awkward encounter with an employee who seemed uneasy and asked not to be filmed while Vance intended to make small talk.
JD Vance orders donuts at campaign stop.
Follow: @AFpost pic.twitter.com/CcxeC6c6Tc
— AF Post (@AFpost) August 22, 2024
Vance and Walz will participate in the 2024 vice presidential debate Tuesday.