JD Vance, the U.S. Vice President, found himself at the center of unexpected controversy during a family vacation in the idyllic English countryside this August. What was meant to be a relaxing trip with his wife, Usha Vance, and their three children in the Cotswolds quickly turned into a public spectacle, as local reactions to his presence—and a reported snub at a celebrated pub—became headline news on both sides of the Atlantic.
The commotion began when Vance’s visit drew the attention of locals, who were quick to voice their frustrations over the disruptions caused by his security detail. According to The Daily Mail and The Express, multiple police convoys and helicopters escorting the Vice President through the region sparked complaints. Social media buzzed with commentary, with one 58-second video circulating that showed the scale of the motorcade. One user even quipped that the convoy rivaled the King’s own entourage, poking fun at what they called the “ridiculous” size of the security operation.
But it was a small, picturesque pub in Charlbury, Oxfordshire, that became the unlikely center of the storm. The Bull, a popular gastro-pub owned by Willow Crossley—best known for her floral designs at the 2018 royal wedding of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle—was reportedly set to host the Vance family for lunch. The pub had previously welcomed former U.S. Democratic presidential candidate Kamala Harris, but this time, things took a different turn.
Reports from both The Daily Mail and the entertainment blog Popbitch suggested that staff at The Bull were less than thrilled at the prospect of serving the Vice President and his family. According to Popbitch, “The rebellious staff all said they wouldn’t come to work if they had to serve Vance and his wife. Facing employee complaints and a wave of negative media attention, The Bull declined his patronage.”
Richard Fairhurst, who manages the local Charlbury community blog, told The Daily Mail, “It’s very widely believed locally [that staff refused to serve Vance] but The Bull are keeping quiet.” The staff’s rumored threat to walk out if the Vance reservation was upheld quickly became the talk of the town, and soon, the story was making the rounds in national and international media.
Yet, as is often the case with stories that catch fire online, there are conflicting accounts. A source from Vance’s team downplayed the incident, telling reporters, “The Bull was included as a potential option for lunch, but the family ultimately decided not to go. There was never any indication from the Bull that he or his family were not welcome.” The White House itself made no official comment on the pub episode, focusing instead on the diplomatic aspects of the trip.
For Willow Crossley, the pub’s owner, the episode must have felt like a bizarre twist of fate. Her establishment, already famous for its royal connections, found itself at the crossroads of American politics and local British sentiment. The Bull’s previous hosting of Kamala Harris had gone off without a hitch, but this time, the staff’s reported objections—and the subsequent refusal of service—sparked debate about the intersection of politics, hospitality, and personal convictions.
While the pub incident dominated headlines, it wasn’t the only item on Vance’s UK itinerary. The Vice President was also welcomed by UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy at Chevening House in Kent, a Grade 1 listed estate with sprawling gardens, a lake, and a maze. The White House confirmed, “The Vice President and Foreign Secretary will discuss a variety of topics pertaining to the US-UK relationship.” The meeting underscored the ongoing diplomatic ties between the two countries, even as the Vice President’s leisure time was making waves in the Cotswolds.
Still, for many locals, the issue wasn’t just about politics, but about the disruption to their daily lives. The presence of police convoys and helicopters, while standard for a visiting dignitary, was a stark contrast to the region’s usual tranquility. Social media lit up with jokes and criticisms, with some residents ridiculing the spectacle and others expressing annoyance at the inconvenience.
As the story gained traction, it became a microcosm of broader debates about public figures, privacy, and the right of businesses to choose whom they serve. The Bull’s staff, reportedly unwilling to set aside their personal or political objections, drew both praise and criticism online. Some commentators saw their stance as a principled stand, while others argued it set a troubling precedent for politicizing hospitality.
Meanwhile, Vance’s team tried to steer the narrative back to the diplomatic mission, insisting that the lunch at The Bull was never more than a tentative idea. “The Bull was included as a potential option for lunch, but the family ultimately decided not to go. There was never any indication from the Bull that he or his family were not welcome,” a spokesperson reiterated, hoping to put the matter to rest.
Yet, the story refused to die down, fueled by the combination of celebrity, politics, and local intrigue. The fact that The Bull had previously hosted Kamala Harris without incident only added another layer of complexity, prompting some to question whether the staff’s reaction to Vance was motivated by political differences or something else entirely.
For the Cotswolds, a region more accustomed to peaceful countryside strolls than international headlines, the episode was a reminder of how quickly the world can descend on even the quietest corners. For Vance, it was a lesson in the unpredictability of public life—and the reality that, even on vacation, the scrutiny never really stops.
As the dust settles, one thing is clear: the intersection of politics and everyday life can be as unpredictable as it is revealing. Whether the story of the pub that (allegedly) refused the Vice President will have any lasting impact remains to be seen, but for a brief moment, all eyes were on a small English village—and the complicated dance between public service and private conviction.
