A Michigan restaurant chain is facing social media outrage from anti-Trump advocates after posts reveal their donations to President Trump’s political campaigns for the 2020 election.
A screenshot of a page showing donations made by Anna’s House to President Trump’s primary and general election campaigns showed up on Reddit and the Facebook page of Michigan resident Doug Chu.
“anna’s house is canceled,” wrote Chu in a post containing the screenshots, via his Facebook page.
The screenshot in the post appears to have been taken from the Federal Election Commission’s website, which allows searches of political campaign donations.
“No longer going there. I could understand if it was the 2016 election but not 2020,” commented Aaron Terpstra, on Chu’s post.
But many commenters expressed a different view and didn’t see anything wrong with the donations.
“Ha… who cares… I eat at plenty establishments that have different political views. Especially if they make a mean omelet. I guess it’s a free country either way. Maybe I won’t have to wait an hour on Saturdays any more…” Bruce Pobocik commented.
The post received 119 reactions, 229 comments, and 22 shares, but led to an even bigger response throughout Facebook. Anna’s House has locations throughout Michigan, and Facebook pages for each location, now flooded with comments of hate from the anti-Trump crowd.
A post on Reddit to a group devoted to Grand Rapids, Michigan, also contained the donor screenshot, and with people saying they won’t eat at Anna’s House anymore, along with those with a different perspective.
“Sooooo….. Does that mean boycott all of the businesses that receive funding from anyone who has supported Trump? I’ll start the list and guess that this would include Devos Place, the arena, Fox motors, Spectrum Health, Meijers (and the garden), Civic Theater, etc. My point is good luck surviving in GR without utilizing a business or organization not benefiting financially from a Trump supporter,” commented Reddit user t3ach3r24.
The outrage also caused the local Republican organization to respond.
“Treating people with different political viewpoints as enemies to be eliminated is toxic and counterproductive. Anna’s House is a popular locally-owned business that has found success serving delicious breakfasts that everyone can enjoy. It’s too bad that some would prefer division and strife over breaking bread, but that just means there’s more waffles for the rest of us,” the local Kent County GOP wrote in a statement obtained by Fox 17.
Anna’s House owner Josh Beckett released a statement to Fox 17 following the controversy.
“I am proud to live in a country where we are free to have different opinions and to support a candidate of our choice. At Anna’s House, we employ and serve people of all backgrounds and beliefs without judgment. Our goal is to treat everyone like family—and in families, there are often differences of opinion. Embracing these differences and respecting each other despite them is what makes our country great. If you are looking for an open, supportive, and accepting place to enjoy a great meal and conversation, Anna’s House is here for you.”
Donald Trump won Michigan during the 2016 presidential election. He becomes the first Republican candidate to win the state in a presidential election since George Bush Sr., in 1988, according to The Detroit News.
