Here’s what conservatives need to know.
WASHINGTON, D.C. – President Donald Trump may not be welcome at some restaurants in the nation’s capital — not because of his policies, but because of liberal backlash and threats of violence, according to a new report that’s sparking outrage among conservatives.
A food editor for the left-leaning Washingtonian magazine warned Thursday that a simple dinner outing by President Trump could set off a political firestorm, putting local businesses at risk of boycotts, harassment, and even vandalism.
The warning came after Trump floated the idea of dining out to show Americans how safe D.C. has become under his administration’s tough-on-crime crackdown.
“I think it’s something we could consider doing. Love to do it,” Trump said Wednesday. “I love the White House food, but after a while, I could see going to a nice restaurant. It’s safe now.”
Restaurants Face a No-Win Situation
Jessica Sidman, the magazine’s food editor, claimed that in today’s deep-blue Washington, any restaurant that hosts Trump will face a lose-lose situation.
“In D.C., there’s no shortage of restaurateurs who wouldn’t want to host Trump,” Sidman wrote. “But turning the President away would ignite an even bigger backlash — angry phone calls, online hate, Yelp attacks, and possibly even threats of violence.”
This type of hostility reflects the growing problem of “cancel culture” in America. Business owners are now forced to weigh whether serving the sitting President of the United States could ruin their livelihoods.
The Red Hen Effect: A History of Liberal Intolerance
The situation brings back memories of 2018, when the Red Hen restaurant in Virginia kicked out Sarah Huckabee Sanders, then serving as White House Press Secretary. The move sparked nationwide outrage, boycotts, and became a rallying cry for conservatives fed up with liberal double standards.
Sidman also cited the case of Menomale Pizza, a D.C. pizzeria that came under fire when its owner simply congratulated Trump on his 2024 election victory.
Within hours, the business was bombarded with negative reviews, boycott threats, and online harassment — a clear warning to other business owners who dare show respect to Trump or his supporters.
Even Historic Restaurants Are Nervous
Billy Martin, owner of the iconic Martin’s Tavern in Georgetown — a restaurant that has hosted presidents since Harry Truman — admitted he’s concerned about what might happen if Trump decided to dine there.
“We’re not actively seeking him to come,” Martin told the magazine. “It’s a very precarious political climate. I don’t need people throwing rocks through my windows or flooding my social media with hate because we served the President.”
Martin emphasized that while he wouldn’t turn Trump away, he understands the risk. His restaurant has previously welcomed top Trump administration officials like Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., Attorney General Pam Bondi, and FBI Director Kash Patel.
Why This Matters: Free Speech Under Attack
This controversy goes beyond food and hospitality — it highlights the deep political divide in America and the way liberal activists use fear and intimidation to silence opposing voices.
Many D.C. food service workers have even vowed to boycott or subtly sabotage service for Trump officials, a disturbing trend critics call “culinary cancel culture.”
For conservatives, this isn’t just about where Trump eats dinner. It’s about the freedom to exist in public without harassment — something every American should value.
The Bottom Line
As President Trump continues his efforts to restore law and order and rebuild America, even something as simple as a dinner out has become a flashpoint in the nation’s cultural wars.
If Trump does choose to dine in Washington, D.C., he won’t just be testing the city’s newfound safety — he’ll be testing the limits of tolerance in a deeply divided nation.
