En un giro verdaderamente extraño del drama relacionado con los sándwiches, el actor ganador del Oscar Jon Voight ha sido noticia por rechazar un contrato de patrocinio de 100 millones de dólares de Primanti Bros., la querida institución de Pittsburgh conocida por sus icónicos sándwiches repletos de papas fritas. Pero no fueron los carbohidratos ni las calorías lo que hizo que Voight se marchara, fue algo mucho más siniestro a sus ojos: la conciencia.

Voight, cuyo apoyo a las causas conservadoras le ha ganado un lugar en los corazones de los fanáticos de derecha en todas partes, rechazó públicamente el acuerdo después de acusar a Primanti Bros. de adoptar la “cultura de la conciencia”, una medida que, en su opinión, ha manchado a la otrora sagrada cadena de sándwiches.

“Nunca pensé que llegaría el día en que incluso un lugar como Primanti Bros. se inclinaría ante la turba progresista”, dijo Voight en un apasionado video publicado en sus cuentas de redes sociales. “Me ofrecieron 100 millones de dólares, papas fritas y todo, pero ninguna cantidad de dinero vale mis principios. Se han vuelto progresistas y no puedo apoyar eso”.

Según se informa, Primanti Bros. se había acercado a Voight con el lucrativo acuerdo de patrocinio, que incluía no solo un pago de 100 millones de dólares, sino también un suministro de por vida de sus famosos sándwiches. En el papel, parecía una oferta que cualquier celebridad que se precie (o cualquier persona hambrienta) estaría loca si rechazara. Pero Voight, conocido por su enfoque sensato de la política y la vida, vio claramente lo que él llamó “complacencia consciente”.

El restaurante, que ha sido un clásico de Pittsburgh durante más de 90 años, lanzó recientemente una campaña promocional que celebra la inclusión y la diversidad, con empleados de diversos orígenes. El mensaje de la campaña enfatizaba que Primanti Bros. era un lugar acogedor para “todas las personas, sin importar de dónde vengan”. Si bien la campaña fue recibida con elogios por parte de muchos clientes, levantó sospechas para Voight.

“Estoy totalmente a favor de tratar a las personas con respeto, pero cuando se empiezan a promover agendas políticas a través de sándwiches, ahí es donde pongo el límite”, continuó Voight. “Un sándwich debería ser un sándwich. No debería venir acompañado de una muestra de virtud. Esta tontería progresista no tiene cabida en el negocio de la alimentación”.

Voight no estaba solo en su postura contra la percepción de “conciencia” de Primanti Bros. JD Vance, senador republicano y candidato a vicepresidente, también opinó sobre la controversia. Vance tuvo su propio problema con la tienda de sándwiches después de un incidente en el que, según se informa, se le prohibió ingresar a un local de Primanti Bros. en North Versailles, Pensilvania, durante una parada de campaña.

According to Vance, the restaurant manager refused to allow him entry, citing that the event “wasn’t a campaign stop” and that “J.D.’s not allowed in.” The manager even threatened to call the police if Vance entered the establishment, setting off a firestorm of conservative backlash against the chain.

“This is just another example of how the left’s woke agenda is infiltrating every aspect of our lives,” Vance said in a statement following the incident. “First, they try to shut down free speech, and now they won’t even let me enjoy a sandwich. It’s outrageous.”

Voight, ever the outspoken critic of “cancel culture,” backed up Vance, adding that Primanti Bros.’ treatment of the senator was yet another sign that the restaurant had succumbed to the pressures of political correctness.

“If they’re banning J.D. Vance from grabbing a sandwich, what’s next?” Voight asked rhetorically. “Are they going to kick out anyone who doesn’t agree with their woke policies? This is what’s wrong with America today. We’ve lost the ability to disagree and still enjoy a good meal together.”

While Voight and Vance continued to speak out against the restaurant, Primanti Bros. tried to remain diplomatic in its response. In a public statement, the chain expressed disappointment that Voight had turned down the deal but reiterated its commitment to inclusivity.

“We’ve always prided ourselves on being a welcoming place for all members of our community,” the statement read. “While we regret that Mr. Voight has chosen not to partner with us, we respect his decision and wish him all the best. As for Senator Vance, we welcome all patrons, regardless of their political affiliation. However, there were logistical concerns on the day of his visit that led to some confusion.”

The statement concluded with a reminder that Primanti Bros. has been serving the people of Pittsburgh for nearly a century and that they would continue to do so with or without celebrity endorsements. “Our doors are open to everyone, and we’ll keep doing what we do best—serving up delicious sandwiches and supporting our community.”

As news of Voight’s rejection and Vance’s Primanti Bros. debacle spread, social media was flooded with reactions from fans on both sides of the political spectrum. Some praised Voight for standing up for his beliefs, with one Twitter user writing, “Jon Voight turning down $100 million because Primanti Bros. went woke is the kind of bravery we need right now. Forget fries on sandwiches—how about a little integrity?”

Others, however, found the whole situation to be absurd. “This is what we’ve come to? People arguing about sandwiches and politics? Give me a break,” one commenter quipped. “I just want to enjoy a Primanti Bros. sandwich without thinking about Jon Voight’s feelings.”

A faction of Pittsburgh locals also voiced their dismay, particularly those who saw Voight and Vance’s criticism as an overreaction. “It’s a sandwich, man. Calm down,” one resident told reporters. “I don’t care who eats at Primanti Bros. as long as I get my sandwich with extra fries.”

Despite the political rhetoric surrounding the restaurant, many Pittsburghers remained loyal to Primanti Bros., vowing to continue enjoying the sandwiches that have become synonymous with Steel City culture. However, the controversy has also prompted calls for boycotts from some conservative corners, with fans of Voight and Vance declaring that they would take their business elsewhere.

While it remains to be seen how this controversy will affect Primanti Bros. in the long term, it has certainly placed the sandwich chain in the middle of a culture war. As businesses across the country navigate the fraught political landscape, the question of whether to embrace or reject wokeness continues to loom large.

For Jon Voight, the answer is clear. “I won’t compromise my values for a sandwich, no matter how good it tastes,” he said. “Primanti Bros. has made their choice, and I’ve made mine. There are plenty of other places to eat that haven’t gone woke.”

J.D. Vance, meanwhile, has vowed to keep fighting against what he calls “woke corporate America” and promised to continue supporting businesses that align with his values. “This isn’t just about sandwiches,” Vance said. “It’s about the future of our country. We need to stand up to these woke corporations and make our voices heard.”

As for Primanti Bros., the restaurant has made it clear that it will continue to focus on serving its customers, fries and all, regardless of the political storm brewing around it. Whether the sandwich chain will suffer financially or emerge unscathed remains to be seen.

At the heart of this controversy lies a deeper question: Can businesses truly remain neutral in an era where every decision is viewed through a political lens? For Jon Voight and J.D. Vance, the answer is no. But for Primanti Bros., the mission remains simple: serve great sandwiches to the people of Pittsburgh, wokeness or not.