Trump's spokeswoman booted out of eatery, restaurant explains why
White House spokeswoman Sarah Sanders was, on Saturday, asked to leave a Virginia restaurant because she works with Donald Trump. Sanders narrated the incident on Twitter prompting a plethora of reactions from both sides. Standing by the decision, restaurant's owner explained the staff was displeased with Sanders backing Trump's desire to ban transgender people from entering US military; hence she was asked to leave.
On Twitter, Sanders told what happened
Sanders drove to Red Hen in Lexington, Virginia for a meal, where she was asked by the owner to leave because she worked with POTUS. "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," Sanders tweeted.
Restaurant staff called up owner to tell about Sanders' arrival
When Sanders entered the restaurant, chef of Red Hen dialled the owner Stephanie Wilkinson. In her own words, Wilkinson isn't a big fan of confrontation but her staff-members, who are mostly gay, expressed their discomfort. Not only did they disagree with Sanders supporting Trump's desire on the transgender ban in military, they saw her evading questions on zero-tolerance immigration policy that left children stranded.
Restaurant owner told Sanders she had to leave, politely
Wilkinson made the short drive to her restaurant after chef informed the staff was concerned. "Tell me what you want me to do. I can ask her to leave," Wilkinson told her staff, she said. "They said yes." She then called Sanders to the patio and said, 'I'd like to ask you to leave.' Sanders' response was "That's fine. I'll go."
Earlier, another Trump official was forced to leave restaurant
Not long ago, Kirstjen Nielsen, secretary of Homeland Security met a sea of protesters outside a Mexican restaurant in Washington. The protesters yelled 'Shame! Shame', as they raised voices against the immigration policy. Nielsen left the restaurant.
After Sarah Sanders' incident, reactions from both sides pour in
Sanders' incident invited contrasting reactions from people. Her father, former Arkansas governor and Republican presidential candidate Mike Huckabee, tweeted bigotry was served on the plate. Former President George W. Bush's press secretary Ari Fleischer tweeted, "I guess we're heading into an America with Democrat-only restaurants, which will lead to Republican-only restaurants." However, there were others who stood by Wilkinson.
Several lauded the restaurant owner's stand
While many downrated the restaurant on Yelp, Wilkinson's decision found many takers too. One of the comments read: "12/10 would recommend. Bonus: this place is run by management who stuck up for their beliefs and who are true Americans. THANK YOU!!!!" A local business owner brought flowers for the "force of nature" Wilkinson and called her "one of the biggest drivers of the downtown."
