Former President Donald Trump traded his signature suits for an apron this Sunday, stepping behind the counter at a McDonald’s in Feasterville, Pennsylvania, to personally serve french fries. This campaign stop, just ahead of crucial elections, saw Trump not only handling hot oil and salty potatoes but also serving up a side of political criticism aimed at Vice President Kamala Harris.
The Feasterville McDonald’s, temporarily closed to the public for this orchestrated event, became a stage for Trump’s latest campaign maneuver. Carefully selected customers, vetted by the franchise and local Trump campaign team, were treated to a unique drive-thru experience. Security was tight, with cars screened, searched, and occupants wanded down before they could receive their orders from the former president.
This visit to Pennsylvania, a key battleground state, came as a direct response to Vice President Harris’s recent comments about her experience working at a McDonald’s restaurant as a teenager. Harris has referenced this early job experience to highlight her understanding of working-class struggles, a narrative that Trump has repeatedly challenged, baselessly accusing her of fabricating this part of her resume for political gain.
Donald Trump inside of a McDonald
Trump Doubles Down on Harris McDonald’s Claim Criticism
At the Feasterville McDonald’s, Trump reiterated his unsubstantiated claims against Harris. He mocked her references to working at McDonald’s, stating, “It was a big part of her resume that she worked at McDonald’s — how tough a job it was. She … made the french fries, and she talked about the heat: ‘It was so tough.’ She’s never worked at McDonald’s.” This continued attack underscores Trump’s strategy of discrediting Harris’s attempts to connect with working-class voters.
In response to Trump’s renewed criticism, Harris spokesperson Ian Sams issued a sharp statement to NBC News, defending the Vice President. “When Trump feels desperate, all he knows how to do is lie,” Sams stated. “He can’t understand what it’s like to have a summer job because he was handed millions on a silver platter, only to blow it.” Sams’s retort highlights the contrasting backgrounds and economic narratives that define the political clash between Trump and Harris.
Harris’s campaign maintains that she indeed worked at a McDonald’s in Alameda, California, during the summer of 1983 while a student at Howard University. Her roles included working the register and operating the french fry and ice cream machines, experiences that her campaign emphasizes as formative in understanding the realities of hourly work.
McDonald’s Owner Welcomes Political Engagement
Derek Giacomantonio, the owner and operator of the Feasterville McDonald’s location, explained his decision to host the Trump campaign event. In a public statement, Giacomantonio affirmed, “It is a fundamental value of my organization that we proudly open our doors to everyone who visits the Feasterville community.” This statement suggests a neutral stance, emphasizing the restaurant’s openness to community engagement regardless of political affiliation.
Trump’s Well-Documented Fast Food Affinity on Display
Trump’s fondness for fast food is no secret. His famous White House event in 2019, where he served McDonald’s, Burger King, Wendy’s, and Domino’s pizza on silver platters to the Clemson Tigers football team, remains a memorable example. This McDonald’s appearance further cements his image as someone with a relatable, albeit perhaps exaggerated, appreciation for American fast food culture.
Donald Trump inside of a McDonald
Behind the Counter: Trump’s French Fry Tutorial
During his half-hour stint at the McDonald’s, Trump donned an apron and received a quick lesson from a McDonald’s fry cook on the art of french fry preparation. He then took over the fry station, dropping two batches of potatoes into the fryer. While mostly following instructions, he reportedly skipped draining the oil completely from one batch and was observed being generous with the salt, adding his own personal touch to the iconic fast food.
Trump also expressed fascination with the fry packaging process, particularly the scooper-like device used to fill the containers. “Never touched by a human hand,” he remarked, emphasizing the cleanliness and efficiency of the operation.
Drive-Thru Diplomacy: Trump Takes Orders and Pays the Tab
Moving from the fryer to the drive-thru window, Trump engaged directly with customers, filling orders and chatting with those who came through. “This is not a normal situation, is it?” he quipped, acknowledging the unusual nature of being served french fries by a former president. He then announced to the delighted customers that their meals were on him, declaring, “There will be no charge. Trump is paying for it…. This is all on Trump, am I allowed to do that?”
Several customers voiced their support, calling out Trump’s “Make America Great Again” slogan as they received their orders. Trump seemed to enjoy the experience, commenting, “I wouldn’t mind this job. I like this job. I would come back and do it again.”
Donald Trump works the drive-through line as he visits a McDonald
Fries for the Press and a Birthday Wish
Trump also served french fries to the assembled press and took questions, skillfully dodging a direct question about raising the federal minimum wage. He playfully interacted with a McDonald’s employee filling fry bags, jokingly commenting on her portion control for the media, “Oh, you’re very stingy with the product. Look at that. She’s a good worker. That’s the kind of people you want to have. She gave them one french fry for 30 reporters.”
Towards the end of his appearance, Trump was reminded that it was Vice President Harris’s 60th birthday. In a somewhat unexpected gesture, Trump responded, “I think I’ll get her some flowers. Maybe I’ll get her some fries,” ending his McDonald’s visit with a mix of political jabs and playful banter.
This campaign stop effectively leveraged the familiar setting of a McDonald’s to create a memorable visual and reinforce Trump’s political messaging, all while serving up a side of french fries and criticism in a key election state.
