In mid-June, a Reddit post on the r/FoodLosAngeles subreddit set off a wave of confusion and backlash in Westside food circles. Titled “FattyMart in Mar Vista MAGA?”, the post included a screenshot showing Fatty Mart’s Instagram account having liked a post from Donald Trump declaring, “The greatest comeback in American history STARTS NOW.”
The Redditor wrote that they had been “going through Trump posts to cleanse & block anyone” and were shocked to see Fatty Mart, the sister business of the popular Taiwanese-American restaurant Little Fatty, among the likes. “I loved going to this little market, but won’t support it (or Little Fatty) going forward if true,” the user wrote. Hundreds of comments quickly followed, ranging from expressions of betrayal to calls for a boycott.
But according to Little Fatty owner David Kuo, the Instagram activity wasn’t just out of character—it wasn’t him at all.
“It’s crazy to even think that I would be anything associated with Trump,” Kuo said in a conversation with Mar Vista Voice. “We’re the exact opposite. Someone hacked us, and it was the perfect storm—two days before Kings Day. I don’t even post personally. We have a social media team, but the account had the same password since we started.”
In the days after the Reddit thread went viral, the business posted an official statement on Instagram clarifying that it does not support Donald Trump or “any messaging that goes against inclusion, equity, and community,” and pledged to tighten security. “Fatty Mart is a space for everyone,” the post read.
Kuo, who has built a reputation in Mar Vista not only for his food but for his community engagement, was shaken by the speed with which the false narrative spread. He described the accusations as “really hurtful,” particularly given his efforts to build inclusive, neighborhood-rooted spaces—from community gardens to cookbook events that celebrate global authors.
While the online controversy appears to have died down, it raised questions about how small businesses navigate political perception in an era of heightened polarization and digital scrutiny. For many who know Kuo or frequent his businesses, the idea that he was aligned with MAGA politics simply didn’t track. But in the online ecosystem, facts often lag behind outrage.
At the same time, Kuo has not shied away from speaking on current political events. When asked about the recent ICE raids across Los Angeles—including several incidents on the Westside—he condemned the enforcement actions in stark terms.
“I don’t even want to talk about the business,” he said. “I want to talk about the people. It’s really awful how they’ve taken away due process. They’re just arresting people at bus stops with masked law enforcement. What is their job? Just grab people now and figure it out later? That’s the scariest thing ever. I think it’s unconstitutional—and it’s really sad.”
Kuo emphasized that these raids are not just policy issues—they’re personal. “It’s really affecting our community. Of course people are afraid to go to work—but they have to.”
Despite the backlash, Kuo is focused on moving forward. Plans are underway for a new bar-forward concept in the former tattoo and record shop space next door, with hopes to open by the end of the year.
He’s also thinking beyond his restaurants. During the interview, Kuo floated the idea of organizing regular neighborhood cleanups, with shared meals afterward to celebrate the work. “We could do it once a month,” he said. “Pick different areas each time, and then everyone comes together after. That’s what community is about.”