Trump McDonald’s visit/ fast food/ Pennsylvania election/ Kamala Harris McDonald’s claim/ Trump campaign/ 2024 election/ Newslooks/ FEASTERVILLE-TREVOSE/ PENNSYLVANIA/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ Donald Trump took an unexpected turn on the campaign trail, working the fry station at a McDonald’s in Pennsylvania before holding an impromptu press conference through the drive-thru window. His visit, which drew a large crowd, was part of his continued push in key swing states like Pennsylvania. While Trump engaged with voters, he also reignited a feud with Kamala Harris over her claim of working at McDonald’s during college, which Trump disputes.
Trump Serves Up Fast Food and Campaign Talk in Pennsylvania: Quick Looks
- Donald Trump manned the fry station at a McDonald’s in Feasterville-Trevose, Pennsylvania, and held a news conference through the drive-thru window.
- The visit was part of Trump’s continued push in Pennsylvania, a key swing state, and included a town hall in Lancaster later that day.
- Trump questioned Kamala Harris’ past job at McDonald’s, reigniting a dispute over her college work experience.
- Crowds gathered around the McDonald’s to see the former president, as Trump supporters waved flags and honked horns.
- Trump’s visit aimed to counter Harris’ narrative of her time working at McDonald’s, with his team accusing Harris of exploiting workers for political gain.
Trump Runs Fry Station at PA McDonald’s, Holds Drive-Thru Press Conference
Deep Look:
Donald Trump made an unconventional campaign stop on Sunday in Feasterville-Trevose, Pennsylvania, where he worked behind the counter at McDonald’s and answered questions from the press through the restaurant’s drive-thru window. Wearing an apron over his suit and tie, Trump took on the task of frying and salting French fries, showing off his well-known love for fast food. As a crowd gathered outside, he joked with reporters about the intricacies of working at the fast-food chain.
The visit seemed to serve as a playful rebuttal to Kamala Harris, the Democratic vice-presidential nominee, who has spoken on the campaign trail about her college job working at McDonald’s. Trump has repeatedly questioned the authenticity of Harris’ claim, stating without evidence that she “lied about working” there. His stop at the Pennsylvania McDonald’s appeared to be an effort to counter her narrative, as well as to appeal to working-class voters.
Trump’s quick mastery of the fry station drew applause from employees and onlookers alike. “It requires great expertise, actually, to do it right and to do it fast,” Trump quipped, adding that he was impressed by the efficiency of the fast-food process. He also expressed surprise that handling the fries didn’t require direct contact with his hands—a welcome discovery for the notoriously germ-conscious candidate.
Press Conference Through the Drive-Thru
As Trump transitioned from flipping fries to serving bags of takeout to the drive-thru customers, he took the opportunity to field questions from the media. Leaning out of the drive-thru window, still in his apron, Trump discussed the upcoming election and his campaign’s strategy. When asked if he would accept the results of the November election, Trump gave a cautious answer, stating, “if it’s a fair election,” he would respect the outcome.
He sidestepped questions about raising the minimum wage after observing the McDonald’s staff at work, but praised the employees, calling them “great” and admiring their hard work. “I just saw something… a process that’s beautiful,” he said.
One reporter asked what message Trump had for Kamala Harris on her 60th birthday. Trump’s response was playful, saying, “I think I’ll get her some flowers,” before offering a simple, “Happy Birthday, Kamala.”
Dispute Over Harris’ McDonald’s Job
Trump’s McDonald’s visit also revived a long-running claim he’s made against Harris, accusing her of fabricating the story of her summer job at the fast-food chain while in college. Harris has maintained that she worked at McDonald’s, sharing her experience to connect with voters who juggle jobs while pursuing education or raising families. She has used this narrative to highlight her understanding of the challenges facing low-wage workers.
In response to Trump’s McDonald’s visit, a Harris spokesperson criticized the former president for staging “photo ops” while misunderstanding the reality of working-class struggles. The spokesperson, Joseph Costello, said, “Trump doesn’t understand what it’s like to work for a living, no matter how many staged photo ops he does.”
Harris has also directly addressed Trump’s skepticism, reiterating in an interview with MSNBC that her time at McDonald’s was a formative experience during her college years. “I think part of the difference between me and my opponent includes our perspective on the needs of the American people,” Harris said, underscoring her focus on labor issues.
Pennsylvania: A Key Battleground
Trump’s visit to Pennsylvania, a critical swing state, reflects the importance of the state’s electoral votes in the upcoming election. Feasterville-Trevose, located in Bucks County, is part of a swing voter area that could play a crucial role in determining the outcome. Trump’s appearance drew large crowds, with supporters lining the streets near the restaurant. Police were called to manage the throngs of people, and many waved Trump flags and honked car horns in support as they waited for a glimpse of the former president.
Later that day, Trump attended a town hall event in Lancaster and then traveled to Pittsburgh for the Steelers’ game against the New York Jets, completing a packed campaign schedule in the Keystone State.
McDonald’s and Trump: A Familiar Combo
Trump’s love of McDonald’s is no secret. The former president has often spoken about his fondness for Big Macs and Filet-o-Fish sandwiches, and he famously served fast food at the White House for sports teams during his presidency. Trump has explained that he trusts big fast-food chains because of their commitment to maintaining clean kitchens and quality control, an important factor for someone concerned about germs.
Jim Worthington, a local Trump supporter and fundraiser, arranged the visit to the McDonald’s franchise, owned by Derek Giacomantonio. Initially nervous about hosting Trump, Giacomantonio expressed concern that the visit might negatively impact his business or lead to a boycott. However, after discussions with Worthington and assurances from McDonald’s corporate office, Giacomantonio welcomed the former president, stating that his restaurant was proud to host such a high-profile guest.
