Before the tweet was removed, Lopez-Alt, an award-winning cookbook author, responded to some criticizing his decision.

"I didn't say maga hats are racist," he said in one reply. "I didn't even say the people wearing them are racist. I said MAGA hats represent support of a racist and racist ideas. Wearing one doesn't necessarily make you racist but it sure associates you with them."

I didn’t say maga hats are racist. I didn’t even say the people wearing them are racist. I said MAGA hats represent support of a racist and racist ideas. Wearing one doesn’t necessarily make you racist but it sure associates you with them. — J. Kenji “Individual Fun” López-Alt (@kenjilopezalt) January 28, 2019

Some criticisms included that the ban would be discriminatory against those who support Trump and his politics, as well as concerns that the ban would drive away customers.

Lopez-Alt declined to comment further to the San Francisco Chronicle, saying that the restaurant has gotten negative and threatening emails following his Sunday tweet.

