Mar-a-Lago member offers free pierogi for life to Alan Dershowitz after Martha's Vineyard rebuff
In the latest of Dershowitz's social sufferings at the exclusive summer playground for the ultra-wealthy, the one-time Trump attorney threatened to file a discrimination lawsuit after he was denied pierogi at a farmer's market in July. Dershowitz claimed that the owner of Good Pierogi refused to serve him 'for political reasons' and his support of Zionist causes, suggesting the vendor was antisemitic.
After railing against the 'bigoted vendor' online, claiming Good Pierogi's food was 'tainted with the poison of antisemitism' and urging others to boycott the stand, Dershowitz returned to the market last week to once again try to buy some of the doughy treats. Instead, owner Krem Miskevich – who has cited Dershowitz's defense of Epstein as the reason to refuse him service – again turned him away. Good Pierogi supporters chanted 'time to go' at the famed lawyer.
After Dershowitz ran to MAGA-supporting media to complain about the ongoing ordeal of his pierogi-less existence on the island, a sympathetic restaurateur came to the rescue to fill all of the 86-year-old Harvard Law emeritus' Eastern European dumpling needs.
'Pierogi should bring people together — not divide them,' Peter Nowocien, owner of PierogiOne restaurant, told the New York Post this week.
Nowocien, who is a member of Mar-a-Lago and recently hosted an event at the president's South Florida club, said that no one should ever be denied pierogi before declaring that he'd send Dershowitz and his family free food for life.
The restaurant owner, a Polish immigrant who moved to the United States six years ago, told the Post that 'Dershowitz's disturbing experience did not sit right' with him because of his experience growing up in the shadow of Poland's communist regime.
'As a Polish immigrant, I hate to hear about discrimination in the US because of people's political views. That shouldn't happen here,' the Trump-supporting Nowocien said, adding that his father fought against communism. 'Discrimination breeds injustice.'
Nowocien also noted that while Dershowitz, who is Jewish, may not be willing to sample his restaurant's Philly cheesesteak, spicy beef, or bacon and cheddar pierogi options, the lawyer could choose the classic cheese and potato variety.
Meanwhile, it would appear that – at least for the time being – Dershowitz is going to stop trying to force Good Pierogi to serve him. Following last week's spectacle that saw him shouted out of the market, Semafor's Max Tani asked Dershowitz whether he would return over the weekend to try again.
'Heading to Israel, where they will sell me better pierogi,' the lawyer, who is a fervent supporter of pro-Israeli causes, replied.
The Independent has contacted Dershowitz for comment.
Dershowitz's war on the West Tisbury pierogi stand began in earnest at the end of last month, when he made a huge public stink after Miskevich refused to sell to him, prompting him to upload a 30-minute video about the 'bigoted vendor' while threatening a lawsuit against Good Pierogi and the local farmer's market.
While noting that Miskevich brought up his past defense of deceased sex offender Epstein when refusing him service, Dershowitz has since alleged that the vendor – who is Jewish – turned him away because they are antisemitic. (Miskevinc uses they/them pronouns.)
'As I correctly suspected, the bigot who refused to sell me perogi [sic] — Krem Miskevich — is a notorious anti-semite who is part of an anti-semitic organization that protests Jewish — not only Israeli— cultural events and doesn't believe in Israel's right to exist or to respond to what these haters regard as the 'justified' massacres of Oct 7,' Dershowitz tweeted last week, adding: 'Don't patronize anti-semites who refuse to sell to Jewish Zionists.'
Miskevich responded to Dershowitz's accusations by noting that they 'experienced a surge of emotion' when the lawyer appeared at the stand last month because he's represented and befriended 'several sexual predators and abusers including Jeffrey Epstein,' adding that they know many people who have been sexual assault victims.
Miskevich also said Dershowitz 'began to harass us, misgender me, and film us without our consent.' Additionally, they pointed out that not only are they Jewish, but they have immediate family members in Israel and friends on the island sometimes refer to them as 'Rabbi Klem.'
Despite Dershowitz's vow to boycott Good Pierogi, the celebrity attorney turned up Wednesday to join the long line of customers – most of whom were there to show support for Good Pierogi – looking to purchase the vendor's dumplings.
'I'm here in an effort to try to restore community and to ask you to sell me pierogi in the interest of keeping the island together so we don't have to have two pierogi stands: one for anti-Zionists and one for people who will sell to anybody,' Dershowitz said.
'So I'd ask you to please just sell me any one of your products to show that you're prepared to sell to anybody and not allow your anti-Zionism to decide which people you'll sell to.'
Miskevich did not budge, telling Dershowitz that they were 'very surprised that you're here because of the things that you've been saying about us and the business online,' while others rejected Dershowitz's blanket accusations of anti-Zionism and antisemitism.
Good Pierogi later posted on social media to thank customers for 'showing up for us in such a visible and powerful way,' adding that they are 'saddened by the lengths to which a disgruntled person will go' and that they 'will not give them any more air.'
As for Dershowitz's threats to sue the farmer's market and Good Pierogi for discrimination, legal experts have said that he would likely lose on the merits of the case if he decided to go to court.
'If he tried to claim that he was denied service based on his politics or the clients he has served, it would seem no,' powerhouse law firm Kelley Drye noted. 'Neither Massachusetts state law nor federal law recognize a claim for discrimination on the basis of political beliefs, affiliations, or activities in public accommodations. In fact, almost all jurisdictions, including New York, do not protect political beliefs or political associations under the applicable public accommodation laws.'
Dershowitz's past representation of Epstein has attracted renewed interest in recent weeks amid uproar over the Trump administration's handling of the disgraced financier's case.
The lawyer helped negotiate a plea deal in 2008 that granted Epstein immunity from federal charges related to sexual abuse of minors, allowing the disgraced financier to plead guilty to state charges of procuring prostitution of an underage girl, in which he served just a 13-month sentence.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Independent
10 minutes ago
- The Independent
The Latest: National Guard troops arrive in Washington DC as Trump's federal takeover begins
President Donald Trump took unprecedented steps toward federalizing Washington, D.C. on Monday, saying it's needed to fight crime even as city leaders pointed to data showing violence is down. He took command of the police department and deployed the National Guard under laws and Constitutional powers that give the federal government more sway over the nation's capital than other cities. Its historically majority Black population wasn't electing its own city council and mayor until 1973, when Republican President Richard Nixon signed the Home Rule Act. Here's the latest: Washington, D.C., Mayor Muriel Bowser says the city will aim to 'make the most of' the increase in federal resources in the city after Trump's announcement that he's taking over Washington's police department and activating 800 members of the National Guard. Bowser also emphasized that the Metropolitan Police Department will retain its independence, including over hiring and firing, saying 'our organizational chart, how we do business, how we fund the police, none of that has changed.' 'We have more police, and we want to make sure we use them,' Bowser added after a meeting with U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi. The remarks mark a change in tone from Monday when Bowser called Trump's executive order 'unsettling and unprecedented.' Pamela Smith, chief of the Metropolitan Police Department, spoke about reduced crime in the city and said increased federal resources 'will only help us build upon that.' Bondi called the meeting with Bowser 'productive' in a statement on X, adding that the Justice Department will work closely with city government and police. Republican US Rep. Barry Moore joins the race for Alabama's open Senate seat Moore, a member of the conservative Freedom Caucus, was first elected to Congress in 2020. He has the rare distinction of winning elections in two different congressional districts. Last year, a federal court ordered Alabama to use a new congressional map, which put Moore's home outside his own district. Rather than moving to seek his old seat, he opted to challenge his fellow GOP incumbent in a hard-fought primary for the more solidly Republican 1st District. Now he's seeking the position being vacated by Sen. Tommy Tuberville, who's running for governor. The rare open Senate seat is expected to draw a number of candidates and Alabama's Republican attorney general has already entered the race. A UFC fight at the White House? Dana White says it's happening as part of deal with Paramount Hours after Paramount and UFC announced a billion-dollar rights deal, Dana White said he had yet to hear from his friend, President Trump, on his thoughts about the fight company's new streaming home. That was fine with White. The UFC CEO was set to travel to Washington on Aug. 28 to meet with Trump and his daughter, Ivanka, to catch up and discuss logistics on the proposed Fourth of July fight card next year at the White House. Trump said last month he wanted to stage a UFC match on the White House grounds with upwards of 20,000 spectators to celebrate 250 years of American independence. 'It's absolutely going to happen,' White told The Associated Press. 'Think about that, the 250th birthday of the United States of America, the UFC will be on the White House south lawn live on CBS.' ▶ Read more about the UFC and the White House Judge orders Trump administration not to withhold funds from National Endowment for Democracy The federal judge ordered the administration to stop withholding funding approved by Congress for the nonprofit that aims to strengthen democratic institutions around the world. U.S. Judge Dabney Friedrich in Washington said Monday it was clear the State Department was blocking the money for 'impermissible policy reasons,' and she rejected the department's explanation that it was trying to ensure the endowment had funding for the upcoming year. 'Before and during litigation, the defendants obstructed routine drawdown requests on money already set aside in the Endowment's Treasury account, imposed and then abandoned a novel waiver requirement, and delayed the obligation of apportioned funds,' she wrote. 'These actions vitiate any inference that the defendants' concern has been to 'ensure' the Endowment's 'level of funding in the coming fiscal year.'' Friedrich granted a preliminary injunction sought by the endowment for its remaining 2025 funding — $95 million, or about a third of its annual funding. The State Department did not immediately have comment. George Washington University pressed to reach deal over antisemitism findings A Justice Department investigation concluded that leaders of George Washington University were 'deliberately indifferent' to complaints of antisemitism stemming from pro-Palestinian protests last year. In a Tuesday letter to the university's president, the Justice Department said George Washington violated Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 by failing to address the harassment of Jewish students amid a campus tent encampment. The department said it will pursue enforcement action unless the university agrees to a voluntary resolution agreement. The university did not immediately comment. The Trump administration has issued similar findings at Harvard, Columbia and the University of California, Los Angeles. The government has used a deal with Columbia as a template for agreements with other universities. The tent encampment at George Washington lasted about two weeks starting in April 2024 before it was cleared by police. Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis picks state Sen. Jay Collins to be state's lieutenant governor It's a closely watched appointment by the two-term governor, who can't run for reelection in 2026 and has been working to cement his legacy as his time leading the state winds down. If Collins, an Army combat veteran and nonprofit executive, decides to launch a bid to succeed DeSantis, the move could tee up another proxy fight between the popular GOP governor and President Trump, who's already endorsed U.S. Rep. Byron Donalds for the job. During a Tuesday news conference announcing his pick, DeSantis praised Collins for having strong conservative principles. Collins was then sworn in minutes after the announcement. The seat had been vacant since February, when then-lieutenant governor Jeanette Nuñez was appointed to lead one of the state's public universities. ▶ Read more about Florida's lieutenant governor Trump will join virtual meeting on Ukraine organized by German Chancellor Friedrich Merz That's according to a White House official. The Europeans hope to use the Wednesday meeting to rally Trump to Ukraine's cause ahead of his Friday summit in Alaska with Russian President Vladimir Putin. Trump has disappointed allies in Europe by saying Ukraine will have to give up some Russian-held territory. He also said Russia must accept land swaps, although it was unclear what Putin might be expected to surrender. Trump said Monday he's 'going to get everybody's ideas' before meeting with Putin. DC mayor arrives for Justice Department meeting Mayor Muriel Bowser was seen exiting a black SUV in the Justice Department courtyard and walking into the building ahead of her meeting with Attorney General Pam Bondi. RFK Jr.'s formula to 'Make America Healthy Again' won't be made public — for now The White House is holding off on publicly releasing the much-anticipated 'MAHA' strategy report that's supposed to provide a policy road map for making Americans healthier. The policy recommendations are a follow up from the MAHA report released in May, which focused on ultraprocessed foods, prescription drugs, vaccines, screentime and pesticides. The initial report had already divided some conservatives, with farmers concerned about its focus on pesticides and some from Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s coalition upset that the report didn't call for a ban on those chemicals. White House spokesperson Kush Desai said in a statement that the report is 'on track' to be submitted to President Trump on Tuesday and will be unveiled to the public 'shortly thereafter.' Attorney General Pam Bondi meeting with Washington officials after police takeover The attorney general is expected to meet Tuesday with D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser a day after the president put the city's police force under federal control. Metropolitan Police Chief Pamela Smith was also seen entering Justice Department headquarters ahead of the planned meeting. Trump said Monday that Bondi would assume responsibility for the police department in the hopes of reducing crime, even as city officials stressed crime is already falling. Trump threatens lawsuit against Federal Reserve Chair Trump called Fed chair Jerome Powell a 'loser' Tuesday and demanded that he cut the central bank's short-term interest rate. Such rate reductions can, over time, reduce borrowing costs for mortgages, car loans, and business loans. Trump also said he might allow a 'major lawsuit' to proceed against the Fed over the burgeoning cost of its massive renovation of two office buildings, currently expected to cost $2.5 billion, up from a previous estimate of $1.9 billion. It's not clear what lawsuit Trump was referring to. Europe's sidelined leaders urge Trump to defend security interests at his summit with Putin It was unclear whether even Ukraine will take part in the summit. Trump has said he wants to see whether Russian leader Vladimir Putin is serious about ending the war, now in its fourth year. Trump has disappointed allies in Europe by saying Ukraine will have to give up some Russian-held territory. He also said Russia must accept land swaps, although it was unclear what Putin might be expected to surrender. The Europeans and Ukraine are wary that Putin, who has waged the biggest land war in Europe since 1945 and used Russia's energy might to try to intimidate the EU, might secure favorable concessions and set the outlines of a peace deal without them. ▶ Read more about the war in Ukraine Wall Street climbs toward records on expectations for a coming cut to interest rates It comes after data suggested inflation across the country was a touch better last month than economists expected. The S&P 500 rose 0.6% and was on track to top its all-time high set two weeks ago. The Dow Jones Industrial Average was up 251 points, or 0.6%, as of 9:35 a.m. Eastern time, while the Nasdaq composite was 0.7% higher and also heading toward a record. Stocks got a lift from hopes that the better-than-expected inflation report will give the Federal Reserve more leeway to cut interest rates at its next meeting in September. Lower rates would give a boost to investment prices and to the economy by making it cheaper for U.S. households and businesses to borrow to buy houses, cars or equipment. President Trump has angrily been calling for cuts to help the economy, often insulting the Fed's chair personally while doing so. ▶ Read more about the financial markets Trump backs Burt Jones in Republican race for Georgia governor in 2026 It's a boost to the incumbent lieutenant governor's effort to set himself up as the 2026 frontrunner for the GOP nomination. Trump announced the nod Monday, noting Jones was among the first Georgia Republicans to endorse Trump's first bid for the White House in 2016 and saying Jones 'worked tirelessly to help us win' in all three of Trump's bids. 'He has been with us from the very beginning,' Trump wrote on social media. 'I know his family well and have seen Burt tested at the most difficult levels and times.' Republicans including Attorney General Chris Carr are vying with Jones to be their party's nominee to succeed Gov. Brian Kemp, who can't run again because of term limits. Other Republican candidates who could enter the race include Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger. ▶ Read more about the race for Georgia governor Guard troops start streaming in National Guard troops are beginning to arrive at the Washington, D.C., armory. They were seen arriving this morning at the Guard's headquarters in the city. Trump said Monday that in hopes of reducing crime, he would be taking over Washington's police department and activating 800 members of the National Guard. The crime Trump talked about is the same crime that city officials stress is already falling noticeably. Trump says recipients of Kennedy Center Honors will be revealed on Wednesday The Republican president, who had himself installed as chairman of the Kennedy Center's board, said in a social media post that the to-be-named nominees are 'GREAT.' 'GREAT Nominees for the TRUMP/KENNEDY CENTER, whoops, I mean, KENNEDY CENTER, AWARDS,' Trump wrote in a social media post. 'They will be announced Wednesday. 'Tremendous work is being done, and money being spent, on bringing it back to the absolute TOP LEVEL of luxury, glamour, and entertainment,' he said, without offering details. The Kennedy Center Honors program typically tapes in December for broadcast later in the month on CBS. Trump spurned the performing arts center in his first term after some honorees refused to attend a traditional White House event recognizing their achievements to protest Trump's policies, including those toward the arts. He did not attend the taping of the awards program during those four years in office. Trump's Tuesday schedule There is nothing on the president's public schedule today. However, press secretary Karoline Leavitt will hold a briefing at 1 p.m. ET. Trump's moves toward taking over Washington are unprecedented. Here's what the law says Trump took command of the police department and deployed the National Guard under laws and Constitutional powers that give the federal government more sway over the nation's capital than other cities. The measure still leaves significant power to the president and Congress, though no president has exercised the police powers before. Here's a look at what the law says about Trump's actions: 1. Trump activated the National Guard. The president can still call up the National Guard in Washington. His authority is less clear in Los Angeles, where a legal battle continues over his recent deployment of the National Guard despite the objections of Gov. Gavin Newsom. 2. Trump took over the local police. Section 740 of the Home Rule Act allows for the president to take over Washington's Metropolitan Police Department for 48 hours, with possible extensions to 30 days, during times of emergencies. No president has done so before. 3. Trump didn't specify how long the takeover would last. Congress still has power over things like the budget and laws passed by the city council, but would have to repeal the Home Rule Act to expand federal power in the district.
The Independent
10 minutes ago
- The Independent
Ex-NBA star begs for Trump pardon after reporting to jail for healthcare fraud scheme
Former NBA Sebastian Telfair, one of 18 basketball players caught up in a healthcare fraud scheme, has implored President Donald Trump to pardon him as he prepares to report for jail on Tuesday. Telfair and the other players named in an October 2021 indictment – including Jamario Moon, Glen 'Big Baby' Davis, Tony Allen and Darius Miles – were accused of defrauding the league's health and welfare benefit plan out of approximately $2.5 million by submitting allegedly fake medical and dental expenses. 'I know Donald Trump got some big things going on but Donald Trump might need to come holla and give your boy a pardon so I can, you know, stay at home with my babies and continue building my career,' the ex-point guard, 40, told TMZ Sports. 'Trump, go check in on my story, and you're definitely going to want to pardon me. You'll hold me accountable and want me to continue to go do good. But I did too good to be sending anybody to jail.' Telfair pleaded guilty to his part in the fraud in March 2023 and was sentenced to three years probation but has since been found to have breached the terms of his conditional supervised release. It emerged in June that Telfair had not completed his court-ordered community service and had not reported to the U.S. Probation Office, landing himself with six months of prison time. A high school star in New York City whose professional career began with the Portland Trail Blazers in 2004 and ended with the Fujian Sturgeons in China in 2017, Telfair told TMZ he believed he had been treated 'super unfairly' and described his situation as 'definitely some bulls***,' blaming a paperwork error for his plight. Telfair also pledged to devote himself to self-improvement behind bars and revealed plans to write a book. 'I'm definitely mad I put myself in this situation,' he said. 'But we definitely have got some wins coming. So, my fans, hold tight.' As president, Trump has been generous in handing out pardons, most notably to the more than 1,500 people prosecuted over their part in the Capitol riot of January 6 2021 on his return to the White House in January. More recently, he has openly mused about the possibility of granting executive clemency to Sean 'Diddy' Combs and Ghislaine Maxwell but has yet to do so in either case.
The Independent
10 minutes ago
- The Independent
ABC anchor Kyra Phillips says she was jumped by half-dressed homeless man in DC
ABC News anchor Kyra Phillips says she was jumped by a 'half-dressed' homeless man in downtown Washington, D.C., recounting the story on air as President Donald Trump vows to crack down on violent crime and homelessness in the capital. Phillips noted that many DC residents are witnessing the violence Trump has rallied against 'firsthand' — despite statistics showing crime in the District has been on the decline. 'In downtown DC, where we work, right here around our bureau, just in the past six months, there were two people shot, one person died, literally two blocks down here from the bureau,' Phillips said. 'It was within the last two years that I actually was jumped, walking just two blocks down from here,' she said. 'Just this morning, one of my coworkers said her car was stolen, a block away from the bureau.' Phillips went into detail about the time she was jumped by a homeless person, saying the man was 'half-dressed' and 'wasn't in his clear mind.' 'It was scary as h***, I'm not going to lie, but I fought back,' she noted during an interview with Washington D.C. federal prosecutor Jean Pirro. 'I didn't see any weapons in his hands. I felt like it was my only choice.' 'We can talk about the numbers going down, but crime is happening every single day because we're all experiencing it firsthand, working and living down here,' Phillips noted at another point in the segment. Phillips shared her personal experience while reporting on Trump's latest order, which placed D.C. under federal command and dispatched the National Guard — two things Phillips said are 'going to help clean up homelessness.' Trump's Monday declaration of 'Liberation Day' for D.C. came as the president raged that the city had been 'overtaken by violent gangs and bloodthirsty criminals, roving mobs of wild youth, drugged-out maniacs and homeless people.' Trump vowed that his administration would be 'getting rid of the slums' and tackling what he referred to as the 'caravans of mass youth' who, he says, 'rampage through the city streets at all times of the day.' Members of the National Guard hit the streets Monday night, alongside FBI and DEA officers, to support local police in maintaining order. The White House said the effort yielded at least 37 arrests on its first night, including four narcotics charges and the seizure of 11 illegal guns. Despite Trump's claims, statistics show that crime in D.C. has actually been on the decline in recent years. Murder rates hit highs not seen since the crack cocaine epidemic in the 80s and 90s two years ago, but have since taken a steep decline, according to statistics made public by the D.C. government and the Department of Justice. Crime figures from the Metropolitan Police Department state that violent offenses have fallen steadily from their recent peak in 2023, and last year hit their lowest level in 30 years. They have continued to decline in 2025, according to preliminary data for the first half of the year. Violent crime overall is down 26 percent year-on-year for the first eight months of 2025, according to the MPDC, while robbery specifically is down 28 percent for the same period. Homicides were up to 40 for every 100,000 people in 2023, a 20-year high but still well below 1990s levels. However, that number decreased in 2024 and continued to decline so far this year. Trump claimed at his press conference that 'murders in 2023 reached the highest rate probably ever.' When that claim was challenged, the White House said it was based on 'numbers provided by the FBI.' Trump's decision was met with a mixed reaction — especially as the president's own Justice Department issued a press release touting Washington's declining crime rate just several months ago. Trump's critics blasted the move, with some even accusing the president of creating a distraction from the administration's botched handling of documents related to the late billionaire pedophile Jeffrey Epstein. Last month, the Justice Department and the FBI shared a memo stating there was no list of powerful people who had participated in Epstein's crimes. It also stated that Epstein died by suicide, and 'no further disclosure would be appropriate or warranted.' The memo brought on quick backlash, including from Trump's MAGA base, as the president campaigned on unveiling the so-called 'Epstein files.'
