A man wearing a Donald Trump baseball cap was told his attire made staff feel unsafe.
A Victorian man who says he was asked to remove a Donald Trump “Make America Great Again” (MAGA) hat at a St Kilda pub, claims he was later asked to leave a second venu—despite no longer wearing the cap.
Now known as “MAGA hat man,” Ange Notta visited the Captain Baxter establishment on Australia Day, but was told to remove the well-known red cap to avoid inciting political tensions.
Notta told the Herald Sun the venue manager had approached him within 10 minutes of being seated.
“I was told I needed to remove it or I’m going to be kicked out. I was embarrassed. I was getting quite upset,” Notta said.
“It’s just stupid to be getting offended by a hat. Everyone has a right to have an opinion, respectfully, without the fear of being cancelled. It’s basically like we’re bowing down to a minority.”
Although Notta complied and removed the hat, his friend later put it on and was told by security to take it off.
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Notta said it felt like a double standard because a Kamala Harris or “free Palestine” hat would not have been treated with the same trepidation.
Later that evening, he attended another venue, Republica, without realising it was owned by the same hotel group.
A Trump supporter shows his MAGA hat during a Trump campaign-style rally in Wellington, Ohio, on June 26, 2021. Stephen Zenner/AFP via Getty Images
Despite not wearing his MAGA hat or any political attire, Notta said he was asked by another venue manager to leave because staff felt unsafe.
He believes he was asked to leave the second venue due to widespread media attention over the first incident.
Notta has since said he plans to launch a complaint with the Victorian Equal Opportunity and Human Rights Commission.
The incidents come after a similar event in Queensland, where a man said he was removed from a queer pub for wearing a Donald Trump hat.
Robert Holt said he was kicked out of a Brisbane hotel during Halloween celebrations after staff expressed concerns that they did not feel safe with Trump merchandise being worn in the venue.
Victorian Premier Jacinta Allen addressed the matter last week, stating that people should be free to express their views.
“There’s certain hats I don’t agree with, certain hats I do agree with,” she said.
“I do believe in freedom of expression. If someone wants to wear a hat, that’s a matter for them.”
Melbourne Hospitality People, which owns both venues involved in Notta’s experiences, was contacted for comment.
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