A Washington, D.C., pizzeria owner boldly defied critics by inviting President Donald Trump to dine at her establishment.
Fox News reported that Mariya Rusciano, owner of Menomale Pizzeria, sparked attention after rejecting fears of a political backlash for hosting the president. Her stance came in response to a local magazine’s claim that serving Trump could ignite controversy.
Rusciano’s message of civility stands out in a city often divided by politics. In November 2024, Rusciano posted a congratulatory message on X following Trump’s election victory.
The post went viral, drawing both support and calls for boycotts from locals. Despite the backlash, she noted the positive responses far outweighed the negative.
Rusciano’s viral X post congratulated Trump on his 2024 win, prompting immediate backlash. Name-calling and boycott threats flooded in, but supportive messages dominated, signaling a shift in D.C.’s mood. Her stand for unity challenged the city’s polarized atmosphere.
The controversy caught the eye of Washingtonian food editor Jessica Sidman. In an article published on September 4, 2025, Sidman argued that D.C. restaurants face a “losing situation” when deciding whether to serve Trump. She cited Menomale’s experience as a cautionary tale.
Sidman’s claim that restaurants would face boycotts and “online and real-life rage” for hosting Trump missed the mark. Her narrative paints D.C. as a city too fragile for civil discourse, ignoring the broader support Rusciano received. It’s a tired trope that assumes division is inevitable.
Rusciano responded swiftly on X, dismissing Sidman’s concerns about a “political maelstrom.” She declared it “disrespectful” to turn away any president, emphasizing that doing so alienates millions of Americans. Her words cut through the progressive panic with clarity and conviction.
“It is disrespectful to turn @POTUS away,” Rusciano posted on X. “It also means turning away millions of fellow Americans who voted differently.” Her invitation to Trump was both a business decision and a call for unity.
Rusciano didn’t stop there. She told Fox News Digital it would be a “privilege” to host Trump at Menomale. Her defiance of fear-based narratives offers a refreshing contrast to the outrage culture gripping some D.C. circles.
“We do not want to be associated with the notion that a D.C. business should fear to welcome the president,” Rusciano told Fox News Digital. Her stance rejects the idea that serving a leader should spark controversy. It’s a bold push against the divisive rhetoric Sidman’s article amplified.
Rusciano’s message resonated beyond her pizzeria. She expressed hope that her story could inspire civility and tolerance in the nation’s capital. In a city often paralyzed by political posturing, her call for unity feels like a breath of fresh air.
In December 2024, Rusciano spoke with Fox News’ Harris Faulkner about the positive shift she observed in D.C. “We received many more messages of support, far outweighing the negative comments,” she said. Her experience suggests locals are weary of endless political feuds.
Rusciano’s viral post revealed a public tired of divisive rhetoric, even in a progressive stronghold like D.C. “People are tired of the divisive rhetoric,” she told Faulkner, “and it’s about time we come together.” Her words challenge the left’s obsession with performative outrage.
Despite boycott threats, Rusciano noted her post garnered “many more likes than dislikes.” This outpouring of support undermines the narrative that D.C. is uniformly hostile to Trump. It’s a reminder that common sense can still prevail over ideological purity tests.
Rusciano even thanked Sidman for mentioning Menomale, turning a critical article into free publicity. Her wit and grace under pressure expose the weakness of fear-driven narratives. In welcoming Trump, Rusciano isn’t just serving pizza—she’s serving a lesson in civility.
