In a surprising and slightly bizarre campaign stunt, Donald Trump turned up the heat—literally.
The former U.S. president manned the fryer at a McDonald’s in Feasterville, Pennsylvania.
DONALD TRUMP AT MCDONALD’S
This event was aimed at Vice President Kamala Harris. Harris had previously spoken about her summer job at the fast-food chain in the 1980s.
Trump, unsurprisingly, cast doubt on her claim, according to NBC.
Wearing an apron and a big grin, Trump took orders at the drive-thru. He served pre-selected customers while dropping not-so-subtle digs at Harris.
DONALD TRUMP SERVES CUSTOMERS
Trump’s local campaign team tightly managed the event and closed the Feasterville McDonald’s to regular business for the carefully orchestrated photo-op.
The team screened customers in the drive-thru and searched cars, making it clear that they left nothing to chance.
While serving fries, Trump fired shots at Harris.
DONALD TRUMP MOCKS KAMALA HARRIS’ WORK EXPERIENCE
He mocked her account of working at McDonald’s during her university days, according to The New York Times.
Trump said with his usual bravado, “Working at McDonald’s was a big part of her resume—how tough a job it was.”
“She made the french fries, and she talked about the heat: ‘It was so tough.’ “She has never worked at McDonald’s.”
KAMALA’S TIME AT MCDONALD’S
Harris worked at a McDonald’s in Alameda, California, during the summer of 1983. She did so while studying at Howard University.
She has spoken fondly of her experience, mentioning how it shaped her understanding of working-class life. A spokesperson for Harris, Ian Sams, hit back at Trump’s claims.
“When Trump feels desperate, all he knows how to do is lie.
“He can’t understand what it’s like to have a summer job because he received millions on a silver platter, only to blow it.”
MAKING HEADLINES
For Donald, though, the event was as much about making headlines as it was about slinging fries.
Over his half-hour shift, he received a quick tutorial. He learned how to use the fry machine, dropping batches of potatoes into hot oil and packaging the fries.
“Nice and clean,” Trump said of the fry packaging process. “Never touched by a human hand.”
LOVE FOR FAST FOOD
Trump’s love for fast food is nothing new, according to The ABC News.
During the 2019 government shutdown, he famously served fast food to the national college football champions, the Clemson Tigers.
He served them at the White House, presenting McDonald’s, Burger King, Wendy’s, and Domino’s pizza on silver platters.
DONALD TRUMP DODGES THE TOUGH QUESTIONS
Trump greeted customers driving through the McDonald’s.
He filled orders, handed out fries, and made sure everyone knew they wouldn’t have to pay. “There will be no charge,” Donald boasted. “Trump is paying for it. This is all on Trump.”
Despite the light-hearted nature of the event, Trump dodged serious questions. These included whether the federal minimum wage should be raised.
He was quick to praise one of the workers for being “stingy with the product.” He joked, “She’s a good worker. That’s the kind of people you want to have.”
THEATRICAL POLITICS
As Trump wrapped up his appearance, he learned it was Harris’ 60th birthday. “Maybe I’ll get her some fries,” he quipped.
For South Africans watching, this latest move from Donald reinforces his unpredictable and often theatrical approach to politics.
Whether it will help his campaign remains to be seen, but one thing is clear: Trump knows how to serve up both fries and controversy.
WHAT DO YOU THINK OF TRUMP’S STUNT AT MCDONALD’S?
Let us know by clicking on the comment tab below this article or by emailing info@thesouthafrican.com or sending a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1.
You can also follow @TheSAnews on X and The South African on Facebook for the latest news.
