A few weeks after U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris enjoyed a meal at The Bull, a historic pub in Charlbury, Oxfordshire, another American politician tried to do the same—but things didn’t go as planned.
JD Vance, the current U.S. vice president, reportedly wanted to have dinner at the 16th-century countryside pub, which is known for its award-winning food. But when staff found out, they threatened not to come to work if the booking went ahead. Because of that, the management turned him away.
The incident stood out even more because Harris had been warmly welcomed there not long before, when she attended a pre-wedding dinner for Steve Jobs’ daughter, Eve. The wedding took place nearby in the scenic Cotswolds at the end of July.
Locals were excited about Harris’s visit, with one person calling it the most exciting event in the village for years. The Bull is famous for its food, but also pricey—a steak there costs around \$98.
When asked about Vance’s rejection, one staff member declined to comment and referred questions to the pub’s owner. Neither the venue’s owners nor Vance’s team have publicly responded yet.
Vance had been staying with his family in a manor house near Charlbury during his vacation. His visit stirred up local protests, including one dubbed “Dance Against Vance,” where demonstrators held signs calling him a war criminal and shared mocking memes of him.
Many residents in Charlbury and nearby Dean complained about the disruption caused by his security detail, which included roadblocks and a large convoy of vehicles.
Steve Akers, the deputy mayor of Chipping Norton, said locals felt their freedoms were limited during the visit, with certain areas restricted and claims that U.S. Secret Service agents were asking residents about their social media profiles. British police denied that anyone was required to share such information.
Some locals expressed their frustration online, calling the whole situation disrespectful and saying they were glad to see him leave. After leaving Oxfordshire, Vance traveled to Scotland, where the next day he was spotted playing golf at Donald Trump’s Turnberry resort—just weeks after Trump himself had visited.
