On Sunday, patrons of Primanti Bros. in Moon, Pennsylvania, were asked to vacate the premises before Vice President Kamala Harris and Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz arrived for a campaign stop. Mark Dodson, one of the patrons, expressed frustration at being told to leave around 4 p.m., especially when he was watching the Pittsburgh Pirates game.
Amy Smith confirmed the early closure, mentioning that Harris arrived around 6 p.m. The sudden closure left many customers, including Dodson, questioning the need to clear out a popular local restaurant.
A patron remarked, “Around 3:30, the bartender, she goes, ‘It’s last call’ – what do you mean last call?” Mark Dodson
Protesters, many wearing pro-Trump attire, gathered outside Primanti Bros. as the Harris-Walz campaign bus arrived. The presence of protesters highlighted the already contentious atmosphere surrounding the campaign stop.
Questions Surrounding “Staged” Appearance
A video later surfaced showing a full dining room during Harris’ visit, leading many to speculate that the campaign used paid actors to create a supportive atmosphere. Statements from other patrons who were asked to leave added fuel to this speculation.
The Harris campaign did not respond to multiple requests for comment regarding the allegations of using actors. This silence has failed to quell the concerns of those who felt wronged by the sudden closure of the restaurant.
“They shut down the TVs… so you couldn’t watch the game,” he said. “I said, this is BS – this is a public restaurant. It was kind of mind-boggling to me.” Mark Dodson
Pittsburgh diners fume over ‘staged’ Harris campaign stop as popular restaurant cleared: ‘Mind-boggling’ https://t.co/wwbe5hRRw2 #FoxNews
— Bo Snerdley (@BoSnerdley) August 19, 2024
Other Controversial Stops
In addition to the restaurant visit, Vice President Harris also made a stop at a Sheetz gas station. This visit drew criticism due to the ongoing lawsuit against Sheetz by the Biden administration, related to alleged civil rights violations. Republican lobbyist David Urban noted the incongruity of Harris’ visit to Sheetz amid this litigation.
A notable figure at the event included retired Pittsburgh Steelers legend Jerome Bettis. However, even high-profile attendees couldn’t divert attention from the controversies surrounding the campaign stops.
“Apparently, Kamala Harris forgot that the Biden Harris Administration is suing Sheetz for requiring criminal background checks of their employees when she visited for some snacks yesterday.” David Urban
Republican Responses
Predictably, the incident attracted responses from notable Republican figures. GOP Committee of Allegheny County chairman Sam DeMarco suggested the restaurant should be given some slack since it’s not unusual for political campaigns to rent out businesses for private events.
Former President Trump, however, didn’t miss the opportunity to criticize. He lambasted Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, calling him a “whack job” and mocked Walz’s previous remarks labeling Trump and his running mate as “weird.”
Conclusion
While political campaigns often orchestrate events to favorably shape their public image, the allegations about Harris’ visit to Primanti Bros. have stirred significant discontent among local patrons. The decision to clear out the restaurant and the subsequent appearance of a “full” dining room have raised questions about the ethical dimensions of such tactics.
As the story continues to unfold, it underscores the broader conversation about the lengths to which political campaigns will go to control public perception and influence media narratives. With the Harris campaign yet to comment, the controversy remains a point of discussion among both the public and political figures alike.
