Former President Donald Trump, the Republican presidential nominee, made an unexpected campaign stop at a McDonald’s in suburban Philadelphia on Sunday, generating a mix of amusement and surprise among onlookers. This visit, however, was not arbitrary; it showcased Trump’s long-standing affinity for the fast-food chain.
Dressed in a yellow-lined apron instead of his usual suit jacket, Trump participated in the kitchen activities at the Feasterville-Trevose location, where he enthusiastically dunked baskets of fries into hot oil, salted them, and packaged them for customers. The former President, known for his germaphobia, voiced his pleasure at the fact that the food “never touches the human hand.” He also handed bags of food to a select group of customers at the drive-thru.
This playful interaction comes as Trump seeks to diminish his rival, Democratic nominee Vice President Kamala Harris, who has previously claimed to have worked at McDonald’s in the 1980s. Trump has openly challenged the accuracy of that claim, stating, “I love McDonald’s” and defending the fast-food chain against disparaging remarks by Harris’ campaign about her past job.
Harris has asserted that she worked various positions at a McDonald’s in Alameda, California, while attending college, including operating the register, fry station, and ice cream machine. Trump, however, has called her a “liar,” suggesting there is little evidence to support her claims.
The Trump campaign has turned the fast-food chain into an unusual point of competition. Recently, Donald Trump Jr. stated that his father “knows the McDonald’s menu much better than Kamala Harris ever did.” Trump himself echoed this sentiment earlier this year, confidently asserting his knowledge of the menu when he was in East Palestine, Ohio.
Jared Kushner, Trump’s son-in-law, recounted in his memoir that ordering McDonald’s during Trump’s COVID-19 recovery signaled improvement in his health. Other former campaign aides have detailed Trump’s penchant for the fast-food giant during his presidency, mentioning his regular orders of items like Big Macs and quarter-pounders.
During his tenure, Trump’s love for McDonald’s became notable, including instances where he brought the food into significant events, such as hosting champion college athletes at the White House or appearing in an advertisement for the fast-food chain in 2002.
Multiple sources suggest various reasons for Trump’s fast-food preference, including a belief that eating at McDonald’s minimizes the risk of food poisoning since the meals are pre-made and largely standardized. Trump has articulated his fondness for the chain by emphasizing the cleanliness and consistent quality of its food, stating that “one bad hamburger can destroy McDonald’s.”