Staff Reports
The political drama surrounding JD Vance’s unfortunate experience at Primanti Brothers has taken a twist that even the most skilled political operatives might not have anticipated. Vance, the Ohio Republican Senate candidate, found himself initially denied entry to a restaurant in North Versailles, Pennsylvania, stirring up a social media frenzy. Videos of the debacle circulated widely, with many expressing disbelief over the apparent snubbing of a prominent political figure.
According to the narrative surfacing from Primanti’s management, the restaurant’s team chalked up Vance’s initial rejection to an unfortunate mix-up. Their official statement suggested that after the confusion was resolved, he was welcomed inside. However, this narrative has been contested by local Republican officials, who point out that the situation was not as amicable as Primanti would like everyone to believe. The account put forward by Allegheny County Councilman Sam DeMarco disputes this rosy picture, insisting that the restaurant staff was less than hospitable and had even threatened to call the police on Vance.
While Senator Vance was extremely gracious today about being denied entry to Primanti’s today, this statement is NOT accurate. Senator Vance was denied entry and he and his team were NOT welcomed into the restaurant after the initial “confusion.” Perhaps Primanti’s isn’t being… https://t.co/CcsRRoiGbm
— Sam DeMarco 🇺🇸🇮🇱 (@sdemarcoii) September 29, 2024
There’s a clear disconnect here between what the restaurant claims and the accounts from Vance’s team, who assert that he was met with hostility rather than warm welcomes. DeMarco went as far as to state that Vance had a sandwich waiting for him, an embarrassing detail for the restaurant in the aftermath of their blunder. It certainly raises eyebrows about how such a “mistake” could happen with a senator in the spotlight, especially given that many supporters were already inside, waiting to greet him.
In a hilarious attempt to capitalize on the controversy, the Kamala Harris campaign’s headquarters took to social media, attempting to mock Vance by drawing attention to a previous visit of Harris to another Primanti location. However, the trolling backfired spectacularly. Not only did it paint Harris in a negative light, suggesting that even her campaign was willing to kick a fellow diner while he was down, but it also resurrected memories of a visit that had its own share of controversy. Those who were reportedly shoved out of the restaurant to make way for the Harris entourage were less than pleased with their treatment during that visit.
In trying to politicize the situation, Kamala’s team inadvertently called attention to the fact that their past event involved invited guests, not “regular diners” as the media would have the public believe. This misstep only served to reinforce the petty nature of the current political climate, one where partisan trolls can’t seem to grasp when their attempts at mockery only expose their own shortcomings. Rather than silencing Vance, the efforts of the Harris campaign merely amplified his story, showcasing the absurdity of liberal politicking that prioritizes petty rivalry over pragmatic discourse.
As the dust settles, it’s clear that Primanti Brothers owes Vance not only an explanation but also a public apology. In an era where eating establishments appear to be pitted against the political arena, the last thing they should do is alienate potential customers. The attempt at clever political trolling by Kamala’s camp was a spectacular fail, further illustrating that a sense of humor isn’t the only thing necessary in politics; common sense should come first.
