former President Donald Trump drew a large crowd at a McDonald’s in Feasterville-Trevose, Pennsylvania, on Sunday.
Dressed in an apron and his signature red tie, Trump served fries to customers and took the opportunity to deliver political jabs at his rivals.
This stop at the fast-food chain—one of Trump’s long-time favourites—served a dual purpose.
It provided a light-hearted moment on the campaign trail, allowing Trump to reignite scepticism about Vice President Kamala Harris’s claim that she worked at a McDonald’s in the 1980s.
“It’s a great company,” Trump said from the drive-through window. “Look at the crowd, they’re happy because they want hope,” he told reporters, before joking, “I’ve now worked for 15 minutes more than Kamala.”
Dubbed the “October Surp-fries” by his campaign, Trump’s appearance saw him working the counter and interacting with customers, even preparing Happy Meals.
The crowd, estimated at over a thousand, lined up along Street Road in Lower Southampton Township, many eager to briefly interact with the former president.
“I’ll just take whatever he gives me,” one customer remarked, while others expressed excitement at the rare opportunity to meet Trump.
Supporters described the event as a historic moment, with one local hairdresser saying, “Love him or hate him, it’s cool to witness this moment.” Others praised Trump for his willingness to engage with everyday Americans, with one attendee thanking him for his service as she received her meal.
Trump’s jovial demeanor continued as he handed out fries to the press, quipping, “That’s sort of a bribe. But a fry for a buck is okay,” inviting the media to join in the lightheartedness of the moment.
The event also provided a chance for Trump to mock Harris, who has previously spoken about her experience working at a McDonald’s while in college.
Trump and his allies have questioned the authenticity of her claims, pointing to discrepancies in her résumé and a lack of evidence.
Harris’ team has defended her story, noting that she worked as a student at a McDonald’s in California.
As Trump was informed by reporters that Sunday was Harris’ 60th birthday, he playfully responded, “Happy birthday, Kamala! Maybe I’ll get her some fries or a McDonald’s hamburger.”
This campaign stop in Pennsylvania is part of Trump’s ongoing effort to win over voters in key battleground states. Later on Sunday, he was scheduled to hold a rally in Lancaster and attend the Pittsburgh Steelers game against the New York Jets.
Trump has long been a fan of McDonald’s, famously ordering fast food during the 2019 government shutdown to feed the Clemson Tigers football team when White House chefs were unavailable.
He’s also been seen enjoying McDonald’s meals several times throughout his political career, once joking that he knows the menu better than Kamala Harris.
As Trump continues to make headlines with his unconventional campaign tactics, Pennsylvania remains a critical state in the race for the White House, with both sides vying for its valuable Electoral College votes.
