JD Vance Responds After Allegations of Being Denied Opportunity to Greet Supporters at Pennsylvania Restaurant

An employee at a southwest Pennsylvania restaurant attempted to prevent Republican Ohio Senator JD Vance from entering the establishment on Saturday, requiring his supporters to step outside to greet him, as reported.

Vance visited Primanti Brothers in North Versailles Township to connect with supporters, but a staff member informed the press that cameras were not permitted and that they did not wish to host a “campaign event,” according to NBC News reporter Gary Grumbach.

Video captures a tense atmosphere as a presumed patron reports that Vance’s supporters in the restaurant were canceling their food orders and leaving after hearing he was barred from entering. The footage also shows what seems to be Vance’s SUV waiting in the parking lot. (RELATED: Restaurant Owner Kicks Out Sarah Sanders)

Another video seems to capture Vance’s reaction 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.

“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.”

Vance eventually entered the restaurant, speaking with an employee while settling the bill and promoting the Trump campaign’s “No tax on tips” initiative, according to video obtained by Fox News.

Primanti Bros. allowed the Harris-Walz campaign to use its Moon Township location in August 2024. A local diner expressed dissatisfaction to Fox News Digital about being removed from the shop, where protesters were seen welcoming the Democratic presidential campaign.

There were online rumors suggesting that the diners at the Harris event were paid actors transported in white vans. However, fact-checking site Snopes reported it had found “no credible evidence” supporting the claim of involvement from “paid actors.”

U.S. Secret Service spokesperson Alexi Worley clarified to Snopes that the event was “a volunteer appreciation event” and that the white vans were part of the Secret Service motorcade, “transporting members of the campaign staff and press.”

The incident with Vance and Primanti sparked a range of reactions online.

“You’re such a classy guy, @JDVance!” one commenter remarked.

“Everyone should leave a 0-star review on Yelp,” another suggested.

“Let’s boycott @Primantibros,” someone else stated.

“Where’s the advance team? Why does Vance keep making this mistake repeatedly?” another user questioned.

Earlier videos also emerged showing Vance at a King Food Supermarket in Reading, Pennsylvania, on September 21, 2024, lamenting the high cost of eggs.

“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 noted online that some of the lower-priced tags on the crates behind Vance in the video displayed a price of $2.99, according to The Independent.

A video from August 22 captured Vance ordering donuts at Holt’s Sweet Shop in Valdosta, Georgia, featuring an awkward interaction with an employee who appeared uncomfortable and requested not to be filmed while Vance attempted to make small talk.

Vance and Walz are set to participate in the 2024 vice presidential debate on Tuesday.

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