Most presidents have traditionally made use of the chance to spend time around Washington, D.C. When Barack Obama was president, he and Michelle would sneak off for date nights, often at newish Washington night spots.
Donald Trump, however, hasn’t been in the same habit. Earlier this week, a reporter noted to Trump that he had never been to any Washington restaurant during either of his terms, except for the steakhouse in the since-shuttered Trump Washington Hotel. This came as Trump had claimed, prior to the recent federal crackdown, that it was unsafe to enjoy a night out in the nation’s capital.
“Will you visit a restaurant in DC?” a reporter asked the president last week.
“I might. Sure,” Trump replied. “You want me to prove you wrong? I think it’s something we could consider doing. I’d love to do it. I love the White House food, but after a while, I can see going to a nice restaurant. It’s safe.”
A reminder that Trump himself has never been to a DC restaurant as president, except the now-closed steakhouse in his former hotel. https://t.co/VFx5vo04Zb
— Jessica Sidman (@jsidman) August 25, 2025
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On Tuesday night, Trump indeed went to his first restaurant visit in Washington. And the reception wasn’t great.
According to The Daily Beast, Trump joined Vice President JD Vance, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth at Joe’s Seafood, a seafood restaurant near the White House. The group appeared to be seated in the restaurant’s main dining room, and not in any kind of private side room.
One woman chanted at Trump, “Free D.C.! Free Palestine! Trump is the Hitler of our time!” NBC News reported that the protesters were from the protest group Code Pink, and that they were led out of the restaurant.
Video later emerged of the confrontation:
People confront Donald Trump at a DC restaurant. He smiles at the camera as they chant “Free DC, free Palestine, Trump is the Hitler of our time.”
Marco Rubio, Pete Hegseth, and JD Vance seen alongside Trump for the dinner. pic.twitter.com/icBKF2j5Uu
— Prem Thakker (@prem_thakker) September 10, 2025
🚨 Trump begged for protesters to be removed from a DC restaurant tonight.
The same man who folded to Putin, gutted NATO, and now watches Russian drones fly over Poland.
Can’t face protestors. Can’t face Russia.
But somehow, y’all still think this is strength? pic.twitter.com/cAXSS8mwN9— Brian Allen (@allenanalysis) September 10, 2025
Photo courtesy of an X screenshot.
