LEXINGTON, Va. (WDBJ7/AP) — White House Press Secretary Sarah Sanders says she was kicked out of Red Hen restaurant in Lexington due to working for President Donald Trump.
Sanders took to Twitter to confirm the incident, and said that she always treats those she disagrees with “respectfully.”
“Last night I was told by the owner of Red Hen in Lexington, VA to leave because I work for [President Trump] and I politely left,” Sanders tweeted. “Her actions say far more about her than about me. I always do my best to treat people, including those I disagree with, respectfully and will continue to do so.”
Last night I was told by the owner of Red Hen in Lexington, VA to leave because I work for @POTUS and I politely left. Her actions say far more about her than about me. I always do my best to treat people, including those I disagree with, respectfully and will continue to do so
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Jaike Foley-Schultz, a waiter at the restaurant, said in a Facebook that has since been taken down that he served Sanders and her family “for a total of 2 minutes” before the owner asked the press secretary’s party to leave.
Del. Ben Cline, native of Lexington issued an apology on Twitter “on behalf of his hometown” to Press Secretary Sanders, apologizing for “the rudeness of one liberal New York transplant,” Cline tweeted.
On behalf of my hometown of Lexington, I want to apologize for the rudeness of one liberal New York transplant (who also happens to be Meryl Streep’s cousin). We hope you will come back and enjoy our area’s true southern hospitality.
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Sanders’ treatment at the restaurant created a social media commotion with people on both sides weighing in to provide their critique, including her father, former Arkansas governor and Republican presidential candidate Mike Huckabee.
“Bigotry. On the menu at Red Hen Restaurant in Lexington VA. Or you can ask for the ‘Hate Plate,'” Huckabee said, quickly generating 2,000 replies in about 30 minutes. “And appetizers are ‘small plates for small minds.'”
Bigotry. On the menu at Red Hen Restaurant in Lexington VA. Or you can ask for the “Hate Plate”. And appetizers are “small plates for small minds”
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On Yelp, a reviewer of the restaurant from Los Angeles wrote: “Don’t eat here if you’re a Republican, wearing a MAGA hat or a patriot.”
“12/10 would recommend. Bonus: this place is run by management who stuck up for their beliefs and who are true Americans. THANK YOU!!!!” said a reviewer from Commerce City, Colorado.
WDBJ7 has reached out to Red Hen and restaurant employees have not commented on the situation.
