Donald Trump, the Republican presidential nominee, visited a McDonald’s in Feasterville-Trevose, Pennsylvania, on Sunday. The visit came as he intensified his criticism of Democrat Kamala Harris, questioning her claims about working at the restaurant while attending college.
Located in Bucks County, a key swing region northeast of Philadelphia, the McDonald’s visit was part of Trump’s campaign activities that included a town hall in Lancaster and attendance at a Pittsburgh Steelers home game later in the day. Trump has been vocal about his skepticism regarding Harris’s statements about her experience as a fry cook at McDonald’s during her time at Howard University.
McDonald’s owner, Derek Giacomantonio, expressed support for the visit, stating that the restaurant welcomes everyone in the Feasterville community. He acknowledged Trump’s request to experience what he termed “the transformative working experience that 1 in 8 Americans have had: a job at McDonald’s.”
When he arrived, Trump jokingly told reporters, “I’m going for a job right now at McDonald’s,” expressing a long-held desire to work there. His focus on Harris’s summer job has been accompanied by claims that she fabricated her experience, a tactic Trump has employed to challenge the credibility of his opponents.
Supporters gathered outside the McDonald’s, with police controlling traffic as onlookers eagerly awaited a glimpse of Trump. Music played and horns honked as Trump’s supporters waved flags and signs.
Harris, who previously served as a California prosecutor before her political rise, emphasizes her McDonald’s experience to demonstrate empathy for working-class challenges. Her campaign spokesman denounced Trump’s claims, suggesting that he lacks an understanding of summer jobs because of his privileged background.
In past statements, Harris has confirmed her employment at McDonald’s four decades ago, asserting that she shares the struggles faced by low-wage workers. This experience, she argues, shapes her perspective on the responsibilities of political leaders to address the needs of the American people.
Trump’s senior campaign adviser, Jason Miller, indicated that Trump sought to highlight his “work” as a direct rebuttal to Harris’s assertions. He characterized the McDonald’s visit as an attempt for Trump to connect with hardworking Americans.
Despite the lighthearted nature of the visit, there was no immediate response from Harris’s campaign regarding Trump’s McDonald’s interaction. Additionally, inquiries to McDonald’s about potential employment records from 40 years ago went unanswered.
Throughout his campaign, Trump has been known for promoting unfounded claims. His pattern includes allegations of voter fraud in the 2020 election and various personal attacks against political opponents, often aiming to diminish their credibility by focusing on their pasts. Political analysts have characterized Trump’s focus on Harris’s McDonald’s claims as a diversion from more pressing campaign issues like the economy and immigration, suggesting that such tactics may not resonate with undecided voters.