Roland Beainy, a Lebanese entrepreneur who established a chain of restaurants in support of the president, vehemently denies the allegations against him, dismissing them as 'not true'.
Roland Mehrez Beainy, the 28-year-old owner of the Donald Trump-themed hamburger restaurant chain called Trump Burger, is facing deportation proceedings. Beainy, originally from Lebanon, entered the United States as a non-immigrant visitor in 2019 and was required to leave by February 12, 2024, according to an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) spokesperson.
Beainy, who launched his first Trump Burger location in 2020 in Bellville, Texas, gained national attention for his restaurant chain that features memorabilia dedicated to Donald Trump and politically themed menu items. Despite the chain's expansion to other locations including Houston, Beainy's legal troubles have mounted.
ICE arrested Beainy on May 16, placing him into immigration proceedings. The agency stated, "Under the current administration, ICE is committed to restoring integrity to our nation's immigration system by holding all individuals accountable who illegally enter the country or overstay the terms of their admission." They added, "This is true regardless of what restaurant you own or political beliefs you might have."
In response to the allegations, Beainy vehemently denied ICE's charges in a statement to the Houston Chronicle, claiming that "Ninety percent of what they’re saying is not true." He is tentatively scheduled for a hearing in immigration court on November 18.
Aside from his immigration issues, Beainy has faced legal troubles related to his business. He sued the landlord of a Trump Burger location in Kemah, Texas, claiming the landlord forcibly removed staff and took over the restaurant. The landlord countered with a lawsuit accusing Beainy of unpaid debts and subsequently renamed the restaurant Maga Burger.
In 2022, Beainy told the Houston Chronicle that he had received threats to burn down Trump Burger when it first opened. Despite these challenges, the brand has cultivated a loyal following and a portion of its profits supports Trump's fundraising efforts. Beainy expressed a hope that Trump would visit the restaurant and give his blessing.