Several reporters and former Obama White House staffers over the weekend spread a false story claiming Ivanka Trump requested a Spanish-American chef be kicked out of a restaurant because his presence made her "uncomfortable."
Former Mexican Ambassador to China Jorge Guajardo claimed on Twitter on Sunday that celebrity chef José Andrés was kicked out of Cafe Milano, the tony Washington, D.C. restaurant, at the request of Trump. Andrés soon tweeted the accusation himself.
In a new low for Washington, yesterday @chefjoseandres was asked to leave the Alfalfa dinner after-party at @CafeMilanoDC by its owner, Franco Nuschesse, apparently because his presence made Ivanka Trump uncomfortable (Cafe Milano is the watering hole of the Trump Admin).
— Jorge Guajardo (@jorge_guajardo) January 28, 2018
Thank you @CafeMilanoDC Franco Nuschese! I was a guest of the #alfalfaclubdinner2018 "everyone"welcome to the after party, but I’m the only individual not allow in? Is because @IvankaTrump told you so? You should be ashamed of yourself Franco.@washingtonpost pic.twitter.com/iJ5wQM18Z6
— José Andrés (@chefjoseandres) January 28, 2018
Guajardo's claim quickly went viral, racking up more than 16,000 retweets. Former Obama administration officials Jon Favreau, Ronald Klain, and David Axelrord; Washington Post reporter Phillip Rucker; CNN host Chris Cuomo; and chef Anthony Bourdain also racked up thousands of retweets spreading the story and noting Andrés' charitable work in Puerto Rico.
That’s DC for you: a man who’s fed more Puerto Ricans than FEMA gets turned away from the Swamp’s cafeteria so that a bunch of corrupt grifters don’t feel uncomfortable while they try to get spotted in Playbook. https://t.co/GwJ9Ps3Bno
— Jon Favreau (@jonfavs) January 28, 2018
.@chefjoseandres is an American hero. His extraordinary personal mission to feed the storm-ravaged people of Puerto Rico is just one example of his boundless altruism and devotion to help others. What gives here? https://t.co/2fFhlVz26g
— David Axelrod (@davidaxelrod) January 28, 2018
After everything this man has done for #PuertoRico? You know how many told us he restored faith that US cares? How many first responders he helped? @IvankaTrump should step up and remedy, no? https://t.co/7Hh6IRRQ5W
— Christopher C. Cuomo (@ChrisCuomo) January 28, 2018
This is the same @chefjoseandres who has been feeding Puerto Rico’s hungry hurricane victims long after Trump stopped talking about their plight https://t.co/CLlBVZZY5E
— Philip Rucker (@PhilipRucker) January 28, 2018
Loathsome. A grotesque betrayal of a true patriot and hero @chefjoseandres https://t.co/r9E5GmhFGV
— Anthony Bourdain (@Bourdain) January 28, 2018
This man is a hero. He should be the guest of honor at any event he attends. He does more to help more Americans, every hour, than @IvankaTrump has done in her life. https://t.co/yZG0g2MYDj
— Ronald Klain (@RonaldKlain) January 28, 2018
But Cafe Milano later clarified that the story was a "misunderstanding." The restaurant was rented out for a private event, and Ivanka Trump had nothing to do with the guest list.
. @chefjoseandres, you are always welcome at @CafeMilanoDC when we are open and in fact, I will host you and toast to all your successes.I am sorry for the misunderstanding.Last night the restaurant was closed for a private Alfalfa Dinner after party...1/2
— Cafe Milano (@CafeMilanoDC) January 28, 2018
Of note, the dinner and after party are different guest lists. Also, Ivanka Trump had no role on determining event attendees. Franco 2/2
— Cafe Milano (@CafeMilanoDC) January 28, 2018
Andrés accepted the apology and admitted it was indeed a "misunderstanding." In an interview with the Washington Post, Andrés said that he knew he was not on the invite list, but tried to get in anyway.
Despite the real story coming out, neither Andrés nor Guajardo have deleted their initial tweets. On the contrary, Andrés still insisted Monday morning that it was possible Ivanka Trump was actually behind it all.
But someone with connections to her made the call to not let me in...Could Be she didn’t know, but it did happen....and this is not the Washington we know... https://t.co/47F2Ohjerk
— José Andrés (@chefjoseandres) January 29, 2018