Trump Thrusts McDonald’s Into the Political Arena in Final Days of 2024 Campaign
In the final push of his 2024 White House campaign, Donald Trump has pulled one of America’s most iconic companies, McDonald’s, into the political spotlight. On a visit to a Pennsylvania McDonald’s, Trump swapped his usual suit jacket for an apron and briefly took on the role of fry cook. The visit, where he joked about making food for customers himself, adds a new twist to his campaign as it reaches its final days.
The former president’s love for McDonald’s is well-known, but this particular stop also reignited a jab at Vice President Kamala Harris. Harris has previously shared her experience working at McDonald’s during her youth, a fact Trump has repeatedly questioned. His visit to the fast-food chain seemed aimed at sowing further doubt about Harris’s claims, stating, “I’ve always wanted to work at McDonald’s, but I never did. I’m running against somebody who said she did, but it turned out to be a totally phony story.”
Harris has largely avoided engaging with Trump’s comments, but her work at McDonald’s has been mentioned as part of her middle-class background during her 2024 campaign. Trump’s remarks come as part of his broader strategy of questioning the personal histories of his political rivals, a tactic he has employed before, including during the infamous "birther" movement targeting former President Barack Obama.
The McDonald’s visit isn’t the first time Trump has used his fast food preferences as a political statement. Earlier in his campaign, he visited another McDonald’s in East Palestine, Ohio, where he claimed to know the menu better than anyone. His connection with fast food has been a recurring theme throughout his public life, reflecting his broader appeal to working-class voters.
As Election Day approaches, Trump continues to mix politics with his personal branding, using stops like the McDonald’s visit to reinforce his relatable image while attacking his rivals. Whether this strategy will sway undecided voters remains to be seen, but it’s clear that Trump is doubling down on familiar tactics to energize his base in these final campaign days.
