Cheesecake Factory Apologizes To Man Harassed For Wearing MAGA Hat
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MIAMI (CBSMiami) - Several Cheesecake Factory workers who reportedly harassed a customer wearing a 'Make America Great Again' cap have been suspended, according to the company.
Eugene Joseph, 22, claims he was bullied and belittled for wearing the "MAGA" hat inside the restaurant while out with his girlfriend's family at Dadeland Mall on Mother's Day.
He claims workers threatened to knock his hat off and the kitchen staff booed him.
Joseph is a huge fan of President Donald Trump and often wears his signature red 'Make America Great Again' hat when he is out. But apparently, some of the staff was so bothered by the hat, Joseph says they gathered behind him and made derogatory remarks under their breath and even threatened to hit him.
Miami-Dade police were called and according to the incident report, a woman at Joseph's table told officers, "She felt uneasy due to several employees gathering around her table and cracking their knuckles."
An officer concluded 'no threats were made and no physical altercation occurred' but the hat incident lit up social media.
Cheesecake Factory responded to the story saying, "No guest should ever feel unwelcome in one of our restaurants and we are taking this matter very seriously. Upon learning of this incident, we immediately apologized to the guests in person. The individuals involved in the incident have been suspended pending the results of our investigation."
Joseph claims he has not received a personal apology from the restaurant but support is growing.
Former Republican presidential candidate Herman Cain tweeted 'Not good enough Cheesecake Factory', and conservative commentator Ann Coulter tweeted, 'Eugene Joseph should get cheesecake for life.'