Former US President Donald Trump attended to briefly offer McDonald’s fries and greet customers during a campaign stop in Pennsylvania on Sunday.
As he worked the fryer, Trump marveled at McDonald’s cooking line and various tools – and used the opportunity to question whether his political rival, US Vice President Kamala Harris, had ever worked at the fast food chain.
This was not the first time Trump wondered whether Harris briefly worked at a McDonald’s restaurant in Alameda, California, in the summer of 1983 while earning her degree from Howard University. Harris’ campaign said the vice president’s duties include working the counter and serving French fries and ice cream.
Donald Trump took advice from a local resident of Feasterville, Pennsylvania. McDonald’s cooks down how to work the line on October 20, 2024.
Doug Mills-Paul/Getty Images
As he stood on the line and dropped potatoes into frying oil, Trump said, “I’ve now worked 15 minutes longer than Kamala.”
The Harris campaign asserts that the vice president actually worked at McDonald’s, although there is no photographic evidence.
“When Trump feels hopeless, All he knows is lyingHarris’ campaign told The Washington Post in a statement. “He can’t understand what it’s like to have a summer job because he’s been offered millions on a silver platter, only for him to screw it up.”
When asked why Harris lied about working at McDonald’s, Trump simply quipped, “Because Kamala is lying.”
When the 78-year-old presidential candidate arrived at a Westerville McDonald’s on Sunday, Trump was greeted by franchise owner Derek Giacomantonio with a handshake.
President Donald Trump poses with employees during a visit to a McDonald’s restaurant on October 20, 2024, in Feasterville, Pennsylvania.
Doug Mills-Paul/Getty Images
“It’s my first day at McDonald’s. I’m looking for a job,” Trump said, jokingly wondering how much he would be paid for his time.
Despite the investigation, Trump avoided reporters’ questions about whether he supports increasing the minimum wage, which stands at $7.25 (about $10 Canadian) in Pennsylvania.
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According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, in 2023, fast food chefs in the state earned Average $12.55 ($17.35 CAD), while counterworkers earned $13.20 ($18.25 CAD) on average. Living wage Per person in Pennsylvania it’s $21.95 US (about $30.35 CAD), according to MIT calculations.
Trump said McDonald’s employees “work hard,” but did not clarify whether he believed their efforts deserved a pay increase.
The presidential candidate took off his jacket and put on an employee’s apron to work on the line. He spent five minutes frying and salting the french fries (heavily), and 15 minutes handing out bags of food to guests at the ordering window.
Trump, who is known for his fast food consumption, told reporters and restaurant staff: “I wouldn’t mind this job.”
“I love this job. I think I might go back and do it again,” he said as he handed out brown takeout bags to pre-screened McDonald’s drive-thru customers.
The Washington Post reported that the restaurant was closed to the public during Trump’s visit, and all guests were examined by the US Secret Service. Motorists in the drive-thru were able to shake Trump’s hand, but did not place actual orders from McDonald’s, instead taking whatever Trump handed them.
Customers did not pay for their meals, and Trump told visitors that the food would be “free” and “all on Trump’s account.”
Donald Trump delivered McDonald’s food to pre-screened motorists, who were unable to place orders, while driving during a campaign stop in Feasterville, Pennsylvania. On October 20, 2024.
Win McNamee/Getty Images
He accepted questions from reporters throughout McDonald’s campaign hiatus. When a journalist asked the Republican candidate whether he would accept the results of the 2024 elections, Trump replied: “Absolutely, if it is a fair election.”
After Joe Biden’s victory over Trump in the 2020 US presidential elections, supporters of the Republican candidate, and Trump himself, filed unsuccessful lawsuits to change or delay the vote count. Trump supporters stormed the US Capitol on January 6, 2021, in an attempt to prevent then-Vice President Mike Pence from certifying Biden’s victory.
Another reporter at a Westerville McDonald’s asked Trump if he had a message for Harris, whose 60th birthday was on Sunday.
He said the former president playfully discussed sending Harris flowers, or “maybe I’ll get her some French fries.”
In an internal memo sent to franchisees after Trump’s visit to McDonald’s, the company said it “does not endorse candidates for elected office.”
The note that was Verified The New York Times said McDonald’s did not seek to get involved in politics, but bragged that it was a “testament” to how the fast food brand “resonated” with Americans.
“We are not red or blue, we are gold,” the note said.
In a statement obtained by NBC News, McDonald’s franchisee Giacomantonio said he chose to help organize Trump’s campaign because it is “a core value of my organization that we… We proudly open our doors to everyone Who visits the Westerville community.
Giacomantonio said he would open the door to his McDonald’s restaurant to any of the presidential candidates.
The company also invited the Harris-Walz campaign to visit its restaurants, an internal McDonald’s memo said.
During a rally in Michigan in September, Trump said it was “possible” that he would lose the 2024 US presidential election on November 5 because his opponents “He cheats“.
Trump and his allies have been laying the groundwork for months for protests if he loses the election. He could challenge Harris’ win in the courts or raise doubts about the validity of her win among supporters, which could have unforeseen consequences.
Republicans and Democrats expect vote counting to continue for several days after November 5, as mail-in ballots are tabulated and other votes are counted and verified.
If Trump appears to be losing, a delay will give him an opportunity to claim fraud and try to undermine confidence in election officials, while also potentially encouraging his supporters to protest. He has already threatened to imprison election workers and other public officials for “unscrupulous behavior,” though he would need to win the election first.
Hundreds of people who participated in the January 6 attack on the Capitol have been convicted and imprisoned for their actions, a powerful deterrent to others who might consider taking similar actions.
— With files from Reuters
