A local Republican Party in Michigan said that a Buffalo Wild Wings canceled a planned viewing party for a Trump rally amid complaints, but then restored the event after backlash.
The Livingston County Republican Party said in a Thursday announcement to supporters that a planned event at the sports restaurant in Howell, Michigan, was canceled over “complaints.”
“Unfortunately, we just received word from the venue — Buffalo Wild Wings — that after receiving a number of complaints, Corporate has canceled our event and we are no longer welcome to use the premises tonight,” said president of the local party, Meghan Reckling.
Ronna McDaniel, the chairwoman of the Republican National Committee, amplified the news in a viral tweet calling on Republicans to pick up their phones and complain to the restaurant and corporate office about the decision.
“Just learned @BWWings cancelled a Michigan viewing party for @realDonaldTrump’s rally. Call the restaurant 517-545-2100 and their corporate office 866-704-0777 & tell them the left’s cancel culture has gone too far. The left’s tactics won’t stop us from keeping MI red in 2020,” she said.
Just learned @BWWings cancelled a Michigan viewing party for @realDonaldTrump’s rally.
Call the restaurant 517-545-2100 and their corporate office 866-704-0777 & tell them the left’s cancel culture has gone too far.
The left’s tactics won’t stop us from keeping MI red in 2020!
— Ronna McDaniel (@GOPChairwoman) October 10, 2019
The Washington Examiner attempted to call the local restaurant a number of times, but the line was busy.
Just about an hour after posting a tweet announcing that the event had been canceled, the Livingston County Republican Party posted that it had been in contact with the chain and the viewing party would go forward.
**Keep America Great Rally Viewing Party BACK ON FOR TONIGHT** – https://t.co/uRc1bZN8L5 pic.twitter.com/EMFvWNyv9b
— Livingston County Republican Party (@LivingstonGOP) October 10, 2019
“We would like to thank you for the community support we received on the rally cancellation. Buffalo Wild Wings has agreed to work with us on tonight’s event and for that we are grateful!” Reckling said in Thursday evening statement.
A Buffalo Wild Wings representative said in a statement to the Washington Examiner that the event was canceled inadvertently.
“The viewing event at the franchise-owned restaurant was inadvertently cancelled based on a misunderstanding, but was quickly reinstated. The group has in fact previously hosted events at the restaurant without incident. The franchise owner apologizes for the misunderstanding,” the representative said.
