The owner of a pizzeria in Washington, D.C., is urging fellow business owners to promote unity, despite facing criticism for congratulating President-elect Donald Trump after his victory in the 2020 election.
Mariya Rusciano, co-owner of Menomale Pizza in the Brookland neighborhood, posted a message on social media expressing her congratulations to Trump after the election results were announced on November 6. The post read, “The people have spoken. @realDonaldTrump won the popular vote and the electoral college. Congratulations! Can we gift @WhiteHouse a nice Italian wood-burning pizza oven?”
The post quickly sparked backlash from local residents, many of whom strongly supported Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris in the District, where more than 92% of voters cast ballots for the Democratic ticket. Some commenters on X (formerly Twitter) accused Rusciano of attempting to damage her business, with one user asking, “Are you trying to go out of business?”
Others threatened to boycott Menomale, with comments like, “Made it pretty easy to skip your business. I live in Brookland too,” and, “Thanks for exposing who you are! Will never be buying anything from this business.”
While the majority of the negative reactions came from social media, Rusciano also received a few emails and even had one woman shout profanities at her husband outside the restaurant.
Despite the criticism, Rusciano explained that her post was intended as a gesture of unity. She emphasized that had Harris won the election, she would have posted a similar message. “Both candidates called for unity throughout their campaign,” she said. “So, I did not expect this to go viral the way it did.”
Rusciano, a registered Democrat, noted that political discourse in D.C. has become increasingly polarized since she and her husband opened Menomale 13 years ago. “When I first voted in 2012, it was okay to still talk to people who voted for the other candidate,” she said. “But now, it feels like people are cutting off family members for having different beliefs. We have to respect the will of the people, regardless of which party we align with.”
Following the initial backlash, Rusciano received an outpouring of support. She expressed hope that social media does not reflect the broader reality, adding, “America isn’t as divided as it may seem online. Sometimes, it’s good to step away from social media and talk to real people.”
Rusciano’s comments come amid reports that several food workers in D.C. have expressed their intention to refuse service to Trump administration officials in a form of resistance. Some workers pledged to use small acts of protest, such as refusing service to certain individuals, to challenge the new administration.
Rusciano, however, is skeptical about whether these actions will go beyond words. “I believe that represents a very small sample of people in the field,” she said. “Most workers in the D.C. food industry are committed to inclusiveness and unity, not intolerance.”
The Menomale Pizza owner closed her remarks with a call for civility and respect. “We all deserve respect, regardless of our political beliefs,” she said.
Related Topics
- New Pizzeria Opens in Portage, Serving Unique and Affordable Pies
- Bay Area Waterfront Pizzeria Closes After 12 Years
- Pizza Brands Expand into Chicken Market with New Offerings
