Trump campaign responds to Black business owner’s claim he was blindsided by barbershop event in Buckhead

Editor’s note: The video is from previous coverage.

ATLANTA, Ga. (Atlanta News First) - The Trump campaign has responded to a Black business owner’s claim that he was blindsided by an event they held at his barbershop this week – by posting to social media a purported contract between the owner and the campaign for “a political event” at the shop.

The campaign held an event they called the Black American Business Leaders Barbershop Roundtable at Rocky’s Barbershop in Buckhead on Wednesday, the day before the highly anticipated debate between former President Donald Trump and President Joe Biden.

Days later, owner Rocky Jones told Atlanta News First a political event is not what he signed up for.

“I feel like I have been betrayed,” said Jones.

RELATED: Atlanta Black business owner blindsided by Trump campaign event held at his barbershop

Days before the debate, Jones said someone he considered a friend reached out to him about being the host site for a small Black business roundtable. Jones said there was never any mention this was a political event.

He added he never heard from a Trump campaign representative, either.

Jones said his business had never been the site of a political event until Wednesday, when prominent Republicans packed inside for the roundtable, during which Trump called in.

Jones said the timing of the event didn’t raise any flags that the event would be political.

He said he was compensated for the two hours he had to close his business for the event but adds he’s now willing to give the money back.

On Saturday night, the Trump campaign responded on X, writing: “The business owner signed an agreement with the Trump campaign and received payment for the time spent in his location for this event.”

The post shows screenshots of a document the campaign said was a signed contract between them and Jones to rent out Rocky’s Barbershop for “a political event.”

The screenshots of the document show the campaign agreed to pay Jones $4,800 to rent the business from noon to 2:30 p.m. on Wednesday, June 26.

The screenshots show the document was signed by “owner” Javier Jones and Bradley Crate, the Trump campaign treasurer, on the day of the event.

Atlanta News First previously made contact with the Trump campaign about Jones’ claims. They acknowledged our request but have not sent a response.

Atlanta News First has reached out to Jones for comment.

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