Over the weekend Ted Cruz and Donald Trump Jr. set the internet on fire when they took a photo next to a cookie cake seemingly mocking former President Barack Obama. Since being posted to Instagram, the photo has gone viral and has upset some, including the owner of the Dallas restaurant where the photo took place.

Restauranteur Stephan Corseau, who owns Le Bilboquet, has taken to social media to express his dismay over the picture.

-snip-

Add this to the list of social media controversies brought on by Donald Trump’s oldest son this year. Last October, Don Jr. was in the hot seat after he posted a photo of his own daughter with her Halloween candy, joking he was going to steal half to “teach her about socialism.”

lebilboquetdallas
Le Bilboquet Dallas


lebilboquetdallas

Dear Bilboquet Friends,

This morning a lot of you have been shocked and appalled to hear that Donald Trump Jr. and Ted Cruz celebrated a birthday of a friend at Le Bilboquet with a cake with our former president Barack Obama's face on it.

Let me be clear, I share your indignation without any reservation.

Both Donald Trump Jr. and Ted Cruz were attending a birthday celebration of one of our regular patrons who rented out our venue for a private event. The party was not for either one of them nor was it any kind of partisan rally.
Unfortunately, I was not working yesterday and could not intervene in the unfortunate circumstances that unfolded but I believe I owe you an explanation and an apology.
Someone that attended the party brought in an outside cake for Donald Trump Jr.’s upcoming birthday and we are not sure who that was. Both Donald Trump Jr. and Ted Cruz took pictures with the cake and posted on social media outlets.

We at Le Bilboquet feel betrayed and sad. Restaurant business is about creating a hospitable environment for all, a non-partisan, non-politicized, nondiscriminatory and respectful environment. The fact that guests decided to use our restaurant as a platform to promote, disrespect, and spread hatred goes against everything we stand for.

On a personal note, I am French and my wife is Mexican. We both believe in universal values of love, respect and tolerance. Values that we have found within the Dallas community. Our friends and patrons represent a wide spectrum of American beliefs including: Republicans, Democrats, and Independents. What brings them together is the same belief that we can live together with love, respect and tolerance. I made America my home a long time ago because of these values that embody the real American dream.
I am truly sorry that such distasteful events happened at our venue and that these circumstances brought me to write this statement today. It reminds us that a divide still exists and that we have to keep promoting our core values, so that events like these don't happen again. While I am disappointed and hurt, I still think it is possible.
Stephan Courseau
Owner Le Bilboquet