Companies

95.2 MAGA

Morton's The Steakhouse

Morton's The Steakhouse is an American chain of upscale steakhouse restaurants founded in Chicago in 1978 and currently owned by Landry's, Inc.

Website https://www.mortons.com/

Updated Mar 13, 2026

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Brands & Subsidiaries

Known brands and subsidiary aliases associated with this profile.

  • Grille

Key Evidence

Representative records from the current filtered evidence set.

Strongest Signal

Affiliation

Dec 16, 2011

Pro-MAGA
9 Weight Impact on the score.
100% Confidence How strong and reliable the sourcing appears.

Ownership by Tilman Fertitta (Landry's, Inc.)

Morton's is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Landry's, Inc. , which is owned by billionaire Tilman Fertitta . Fertitta is a prominent supporter of Donald Trump and has hosted high-dollar fundraisers for him.

Latest Development

Miscellaneous

Jan 01, 2024

Neutral
2 Weight Impact on the score.
70% Confidence How strong and reliable the sourcing appears.

General Corporate DEI Initiatives

Like most large corporations, Landry's (Morton's parent) maintains standard Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) statements on its career pages, though it does not emphasize them as aggressively as some competitors.

Strongest Pro-MAGA

Public Statement

Jul 08, 2022

Pro-MAGA
8 Weight Impact on the score.
95% Confidence How strong and reliable the sourcing appears.

Defense of Brett Kavanaugh's Right to Dine Amid Protests

In July 2022, Morton's issued a public statement defending Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh's right to eat dinner in peace after he was forced to leave a D.C. location due to protestors. The company stated, 'Politics should not trampl…

Evidence Distribution

Active and disputed public evidence by direction and time.

Pro-MAGA
9 (90%)
Neutral
1 (10%)
Not MAGA
0 (0%)

Evidence Over Time

Chronological view of the current filtered evidence set.

Evidence & Sources

Showing 10 matched evidence items. Page 1 of 1. This is the full source-review ledger for the current filtered set.

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Miscellaneous

Jan 01, 2024

Neutral
2 Weight Impact on the score.
70% Confidence How strong and reliable the sourcing appears.

General Corporate DEI Initiatives

Like most large corporations, Landry's (Morton's parent) maintains standard Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) statements on its career pages, though it does not emphasize them as aggressively as some competitors.

Notes: These are largely seen as standard HR compliance rather than a strong ideological shift.

Agent rationale

The presence of standard DEI language is a neutral signal in the current corporate landscape, though it contrasts slightly with the owner's more conservative public persona.

Sources

  1. Landry's Careers

Public Statement

May 22, 2023

Pro-MAGA
7 Weight Impact on the score.
90% Confidence How strong and reliable the sourcing appears.

Owner's Criticism of 'Woke' Corporate Culture

Tilman Fertitta has publicly criticized 'woke' corporate culture and ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) mandates, arguing they distract from business profitability.

Notes: Fertitta's comments align with the broader MAGA/conservative pushback against ESG.

Agent rationale

Criticism of ESG and 'woke' culture is a core tenet of the current MAGA movement's economic and social platform.

Sources

  1. Fox Business (May 22, 2023)

Associations & Advocacy

Jan 01, 2023

Pro-MAGA
4 Weight Impact on the score.
90% Confidence How strong and reliable the sourcing appears.

Frequent Venue for GOP and MAGA Fundraising Events

Morton's locations, particularly in D.C. and Florida, are frequently used as venues for GOP fundraising events and gatherings of Trump administration officials and allies.

Notes: The D.C. location is noted for its proximity to power and its reputation as a 'conservative-friendly' establishment.

Agent rationale

While restaurants serve all customers, the consistent choice of Morton's by MAGA-aligned figures for high-profile events reinforces its brand association with that movement.

Sources

  1. New York Times (Jul 08, 2022)

Public Statement

Jul 08, 2022

Pro-MAGA
8 Weight Impact on the score.
95% Confidence How strong and reliable the sourcing appears.

Defense of Brett Kavanaugh's Right to Dine Amid Protests

In July 2022, Morton's issued a public statement defending Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh's right to eat dinner in peace after he was forced to leave a D.C. location due to protestors. The company stated, 'Politics should not trample the freedom to eat at a restaurant.'

Notes: The statement was widely interpreted as a stand against 'cancel culture' and harassment of conservative figures.

Agent rationale

This is a high-profile public stance by the brand itself, aligning with conservative/MAGA-adjacent arguments regarding the harassment of public officials and 'civility' in the face of political disagreement.

Sources

  1. Politico (Jul 08, 2022)
  2. Washington Post (Jul 08, 2022)

Legal Position

Jan 15, 2021

Pro-MAGA
5 Weight Impact on the score.
80% Confidence How strong and reliable the sourcing appears.

Opposition to COVID-19 Mandates and Lockdowns

Through its parent company, Morton's was vocal in its opposition to extended lockdowns and vaccine mandates, aligning with the MAGA movement's stance on personal liberty and economic reopening.

Notes: Fertitta was a frequent critic of blue-state governors' lockdown policies.

Agent rationale

The company's policy stance on pandemic restrictions mirrored the rhetoric and priorities of the Trump administration and the MAGA base.

Sources

  1. CNBC (Dec 15, 2020)

Donations

Oct 01, 2020

Pro-MAGA
7 Weight Impact on the score.
90% Confidence How strong and reliable the sourcing appears.

Parent Company PAC and Executive Donations to Trump/GOP

Landry's PAC and Tilman Fertitta have made significant contributions to the Trump Victory Committee and other MAGA-aligned candidates. In 2020, Fertitta reportedly donated over $1 million to pro-Trump efforts.

Notes: While Morton's does not have its own separate PAC, it is the flagship fine-dining brand under the Landry's umbrella that generates the revenue used for these contributions.

Agent rationale

Financial support from the owner and parent PAC is a strong indicator of the entity's political alignment, especially given Fertitta's hands-on management style.

Sources

  1. OpenSecrets (Dec 31, 2020)

Leadership alignment

May 18, 2020

Pro-MAGA
6 Weight Impact on the score.
85% Confidence How strong and reliable the sourcing appears.

Fertitta's Direct Communication with Trump on PPP Loans

Tilman Fertitta personally lobbied President Trump for changes to the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) to benefit large restaurant chains like Morton's, which Trump subsequently supported.

Notes: Fertitta met with Trump in the White House to discuss the needs of the hospitality industry.

Agent rationale

Direct access and successful lobbying of the Trump administration by the entity's owner demonstrate a high level of political synergy.

Sources

  1. Houston Chronicle (May 18, 2020)

Public Statement

May 11, 2020

Pro-MAGA
6 Weight Impact on the score.
85% Confidence How strong and reliable the sourcing appears.

Owner's Public Praise for Trump's Economic Policies

Tilman Fertitta, owner of Morton's, appeared on Fox News and other outlets multiple times during the Trump administration to praise Trump's deregulation and tax cuts, stating they were essential for the restaurant industry's growth.

Notes: Fertitta specifically praised Trump's handling of the economy during the early stages of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Agent rationale

Public endorsement of core MAGA economic policies by the entity's sole owner provides a clear pro-MAGA signal for the brand's leadership.

Sources

  1. Fox Business (May 11, 2020)

Policy Action

Apr 14, 2020

Pro-MAGA
5 Weight Impact on the score.
80% Confidence How strong and reliable the sourcing appears.

Participation in Trump's Great American Economic Revival Industry Groups

In 2020, Morton's parent company owner Tilman Fertitta was selected by President Trump to serve on the Great American Economic Revival Industry Groups for the restaurant sector.

Notes: This group was formed to advise the White House on reopening the economy during the pandemic.

Agent rationale

Formal participation in a Trump-led advisory group indicates a close institutional relationship and alignment with the administration's policy goals.

Sources

  1. White House Archives (Apr 14, 2020)

Affiliation

Dec 16, 2011

Pro-MAGA
9 Weight Impact on the score.
100% Confidence How strong and reliable the sourcing appears.

Ownership by Tilman Fertitta (Landry's, Inc.)

Morton's is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Landry's, Inc., which is owned by billionaire Tilman Fertitta. Fertitta is a prominent supporter of Donald Trump and has hosted high-dollar fundraisers for him.

Notes: Fertitta acquired Morton's in 2011. His political alignment heavily influences the corporate culture and public positioning of his brands.

Agent rationale

Parent ownership is a primary driver of alignment. Fertitta's vocal support for Trump and his role as a major GOP donor directly impacts the brand's political context.

Sources

  1. Landry's Official Site
  2. Bloomberg (May 11, 2020)