Anti-Trump Mob Boycotts Kansas City Barbecue Joint
The owners of a celebrated Kansas City, Kansas, barbecue joint are facing a firestorm of criticism from anti-Trump activists after a friendly exchange with President Donald Trump at the White House went viral.
Mike and Joe Pearce, founders of Slap’s BBQ, were seen in a video shared Monday on X by White House press assistant Margo Martin standing with Trump near a spread from their restaurant. During the exchange, Trump asked the brothers when they thought Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes would return from a knee injury, according to The Kansas City Star.
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The brothers were in Washington, D.C., for a Small Business Summit where Trump delivered remarks, The Star reported.
But after the video circulated online, some Kansas City-area barbecue fans said they were enraged to see the restaurant owners appearing alongside Trump.
“Deeply disappointed in Slap’s BBQ,” Kansas City resident Tom Ferlo wrote on Facebook, according to The Star. “They for years have been my favorite in town. It was the first food I ate after my wedding, and recently I’ve told multiple people a day that it’s the best in town.”
Ferlo, an Uber driver, told The Star in a Facebook message that he had often recommended Slap’s BBQ to passengers. He also claimed the restaurant’s Facebook page blocked him after he criticized the White House appearance.
“Nothing tastes as good as integrity — you can tell because they spent all day deleting critical comments and Google reviews,” Ferlo wrote.
Another social media user reacted: “Slap’s was one of our favorites too… WAS…”
The Pearce brothers did not respond to The Star’s text messages or phone call seeking comment Friday.
The controversy spread further after the KC Discovery Instagram page posted a screenshot of the White House encounter and said “dozens” of Kansas City-area residents were boycotting Slap’s BBQ. The post received more than 3,000 likes and 900 comments, according to The Star.
Some commenters defended the restaurant owners, arguing that any small business would be wise to accept an invitation to the White House.
“It’s an honor to get invited to the White House, regardless of who’s President,” one Instagram user wrote. “No one in their right mind would decline that invitation, especially as a business. That’s amazing publicity!”
Others mocked the boycott.
“Now the line for food will be shorter and full of hardworking, smart people,” one person wrote.
“I’ll eat there twice as much now,” another commenter posted.
One user added: “The poor people aren’t boycotting, they just don’t have enough money to buy premium bbq.”
Critics, however, said customers have the right to decide where they spend their money.
“Freedom of choice and freedom of speech do not equal freedom of consequences, plain and simple…. People can spend their money however they see fit as it aligns with their values,” one user wrote, according to The Star.
Some commenters said they would no longer buy from Slap’s BBQ.
“My daughter will be disappointed that we can no longer get their bbq sauce. It was a favorite in our house,” one person posted.
Others used the backlash to take shots at the restaurant’s food, with one commenter writing, “Joes bbq is better anyways…”
Another called the food “trifling” and complained in all caps that it was “unseasoned flavorless food.”
Still, the backlash did not appear to be one-sided. One Instagram user predicted the White House moment would bring more attention — and customers — to the Kansas City, Kansas, barbecue spot.
“Driving 55 minutes at my earliest convenience to spend $100+ at Slap’s now,” the user wrote. “As if I needed another reason to visit and patronize this awesome BBQ.”
Slap’s BBQ, whose owners became known through TLC’s “BBQ Pitmasters,” continues to compete in barbecue contests around 30 weeks each year, The Star reported.
The online clash comes as boycotts tied to Trump-aligned policies and figures have targeted companies including Tesla, Target and Home Depot, according to The Star.
U.S. Sen. Eric Schmitt (R-MO) came rushing to the defense of the barbecue joint.
“This may be shocking to some—but enjoying BBQ isn’t a red or blue issue,” he wrote on X. “It actually is something that typically unites Americans. The real shame is the Kansas City Red Star using this to divide Missourians and go after a small business.”
It’s really unfortunate that the guys are facing backlash from an unhinged mob of leftists infected with Trump Derangement Syndrome. And to make matters even worse, they’re probably closet vegans.
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