A conservative vlogger claims Panda Express employees called police after he wore a MAGA hat and gave a thumbs-up gesture to a cook inside a Washington state restaurant.
The customer, identified online as Chris Sims, said he and another vlogger were asked to leave the restaurant despite doing nothing more than wearing political apparel and interacting with an employee.
Sims wrote in a post on X that the situation began after a cook allegedly stared at him because of his hat.
According to Sims, he asked whether there was a problem, and the employee reportedly responded by referencing the hat.
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Sims claimed restaurant staff then called police and accused him and his friend of refusing to leave.
He said he left the restaurant and stood on the public sidewalk while continuing to film. Sims also alleged that multiple employees came outside and tried to pressure him to stop recording and leave the area.
Police later informed employees that Sims had not committed a crime, according to his account.
The incident quickly spread online, with many users accusing the restaurant workers of political discrimination.
Sims described the situation as unfair treatment over a political hat and said Panda Express should hold employees to a higher standard.
The vloggers said they had been livestreaming their visit when the situation escalated.
Panda Restaurant Group later responded to Fox News Digital, saying the company wants every guest who enters Panda Express to feel welcome and respected.
A spokesperson said the company reviewed the details and understood the incident had been handled at the restaurant level.
The spokesperson added that Panda Express had reminded employees about the importance of providing a consistent and welcoming experience for all customers.
The incident has fueled another online debate over political expression in public businesses, customer treatment and whether employees should respond differently when guests wear partisan clothing.
