Trump supporter alleges she was confronted and assaulted by employee at local diner
PHILADELPHIA (WTXF) - A local woman says she was confronted and assaulted by an employee at a popular diner for being a Donald Trump supporter.
"I was wearing a 'Make America great again' hat," the woman told FOX 29.
It was the morning after Donald Trump's presidential victory. The Trolley Car Diner customer in East Mount Airy was celebrating with breakfast. But soon the nature of the national election was being hashed out over coffee and toast.
She asked us to protect her identity for fear of retaliation.
The customer says a waitress took a look at her Trump clothing and said this. "I was disgusting. It's a good thing I'm not waiting on you. You're so ignorant," the woman explained.
Trolley car owner Ken Weinstein disputes the wording but does admit his waitress stepped out line. He says she was reprimanded, but insists what the customer claims happened a week later is not true.
"She's standing in a corridor and knocks into me. Then checks me with her shoulder," the customer said.
The Trump supporter alleges she was targeted and physically assaulted by the same waitress. That's when a friend with the group Citizens for Trump tweeted out the story. Soon it was viral with outraged supporters posting messages and included the diners phone and contact info.
Owner Ken says the alleged assault was an accident. He says the young woman was hovering behind the server when the worker turned around.
"There was no purposeful assault that happened and we have other customers that substantiated that," Ken explained.
He thinks he's being set up, something the customer strongly denies. She says she just wants to be able to express her views without threat of harassment. Meanwhile, Ken says Trolley Car is getting hundreds of hateful calls and emails including death threats. The diner has shut down its Facebook page.
"I don't want anyone to lose their job but I also don't want people to be discriminated against," the customer said.