This is unacceptable.
A grieving son says he was denied service and humiliated by a coffee shop employee in New York City simply because he was wearing a MAGA hat — and it happened on the morning of September 11, a day of remembrance and unity for millions of Americans.
Anthony Pullis, 31, was on his way to the Ground Zero memorial ceremony to honor his late father, who died in the September 11, 2001 terror attacks, when the shocking incident occurred.
Wearing his “Make America Great Again” hat, Pullis stopped at a trendy café called Café Grumpy in Manhattan’s Financial District. Pinned to his shirt was a photo of his father, Edward Pullis, who worked in the South Tower of the World Trade Center and was killed that fateful day.
“I thought it would be a meaningful way to honor both my dad and Charlie Kirk,” Pullis told Fox News Digital, referencing conservative activist Charlie Kirk, who was tragically murdered just one day earlier.
Barista Allegedly Says: “No Service”
Pullis says he was stunned when, upon entering the coffee shop, a female barista looked directly at his MAGA hat and said, “No service.”
At first, he thought the shop might still be closed. But after checking the posted hours and watching other customers walk out with drinks, he realized he was being targeted for his political beliefs.
“We were like, all right, this is ridiculous,” Pullis recalled. “It was clear this was about my hat and what I stand for — nothing else.”
A friend who was with him encouraged him to walk away, arguing that the shop didn’t deserve their business. However, Pullis said Charlie Kirk’s murder the day before fueled his determination to stand firm.
“I felt a fire inside of me,” Pullis said. “Backing down would have been the exact opposite of what Charlie would do.”
Tragedy Sparks Determination
Charlie Kirk, the founder of Turning Point USA, was shot and killed on September 10 while speaking at Utah Valley University.
Kirk was only 31 years old and leaves behind his wife, Erika, and two young children. His death sent shockwaves through the conservative community, with tributes pouring in nationwide.
Many MAGA supporters, including Pullis, saw this moment as a call to stand up against liberal hostility and discrimination, no matter the cost.
Retired Firefighter Confronts Café Staff
Determined to take a stand, Pullis returned to Café Grumpy with family friend Tommy Smith, a retired Long Island firefighter whose father died heroically on 9/11.
Wearing his full firefighter uniform, Smith demanded the pair be served.
The barista reluctantly complied — but when Pullis calmly asked why he had been denied service earlier, she refused to answer.
As he left, Pullis placed a $20 bill on the counter for a $14 order, telling her to keep the change. Instead, she shoved the money back and said, “You’re disgusting.”
Shocked and deeply hurt, Pullis and his family later left Google reviews to share their story publicly.
Coffee Shop Issues Apology After Public Backlash
The incident quickly drew public attention. Café Grumpy co-founder Caroline Bell said she was “deeply shocked” by the employee’s behavior and responded by sending an internal memo to her staff.
The memo made clear that refusing service based on appearance, beliefs, or political views is strictly prohibited, stating:
“You may not always agree with or feel comfortable about a customer’s appearance or beliefs. Those factors are not grounds for refusing service.”
Pullis praised Bell for taking swift action, saying she handled the situation “professionally and appropriately.”
However, he remains deeply upset by what happened — especially given the significance of the date and location.
“This never should have happened,” Pullis said. “Of all days, September 11 is the one day when this kind of hatred should have no place. I had my father’s photo pinned to my shirt, and we were just blocks from the very spot where he lost his life.”
Growing Pattern of Anti-Conservative Bias
This is not an isolated incident. Just days earlier, a viral TikTok video claimed a Starbucks barista refused to write Charlie Kirk’s name on a cup.
Since Kirk’s murder, supporters have been ordering his favorite drink at Starbucks in tribute — yet even that act of remembrance has been met with resistance and hostility by some employees.
For many conservatives, these stories reveal a deep double standard in America today, where Trump supporters and MAGA conservatives face open discrimination, while progressive political messaging is embraced without question.
Standing Up for Free Speech
While Café Grumpy’s leadership ultimately apologized, the fact that this happened on 9/11, to a grieving son honoring his fallen father, is nothing short of disgraceful.
This story serves as a powerful reminder of why Americans must stand up for free speech and freedom of expression, values President Donald Trump has consistently fought to protect.
On a day meant for unity and remembrance, political hatred reared its ugly head. Thanks to public pressure, this time it ended with an apology — but the fight for fairness and respect continues.
Why This Story Matters
- Highlights the real-life consequences of liberal intolerance.
- Reminds Americans of the importance of honoring 9/11 victims and their families.
- Shows the urgent need to protect free speech and conservative voices.
