Trump Takes Over McDonald’s Fryer in Pennsylvania, Draws Massive MAGA Crowd

Donald Trump stepped out of the political spotlight and into the fast-food kitchen in Feasterville-Trevose, Pennsylvania, on Sunday, where he manned the fryer, handed out Happy Meals, and served up scathing jabs at Vice President Kamala Harris. The event, dubbed the “October surp-fries” by Trump’s campaign, drew over a thousand excited supporters to the McDonald’s on Street Road, just outside Philadelphia. It was the kind of campaign stop only Trump could pull off—blending populist appeal, showmanship, and political punches.

At a Glance:

  • Trump used his appearance at McDonald’s to mock Harris for her claims of working at the fast-food chain during college, saying he worked harder in 15 minutes than she ever did.
  • The event drew a massive crowd of MAGA supporters, eager to see the former president in a rare fast-food kitchen role.
  • Harris’ campaign has long promoted her story of working at McDonald’s in the 1980s, which Trump has repeatedly questioned, turning it into a point of ridicule.

The event wasn’t just an opportunity for Trump to get behind the counter—it was a thinly veiled swipe at Harris, who has long claimed she worked at a McDonald’s while in college to highlight her middle-class roots. Trump, ever the showman, turned this claim into a political attack. “I’m going because she lied,” Trump teased on Fox & Friends last week, hinting that he would do “everything” in the kitchen, from flipping burgers to working the fry station.

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Wearing an apron over his signature red tie, Trump greeted fans with a smile, telling reporters, “I’ve now worked for 15 minutes more than Kamala.” The crowd roared as Trump filled fry containers and joked with customers at the drive-thru window. “We got the salt on it. Never touches the human hand. Nice and full,” he said, playing into his well-known germaphobia. It was clear that the crowd was lovin’ it, as many took pictures, cheered, and waved MAGA hats in the air.

As one man told the New York Post, “I’ll just take whatever he gives me.” Trump’s appearance wasn’t just a spectacle—it was a chance for supporters to feel connected to their candidate in a personal way. Caitlin Hanlon, a hairdresser from Feasterville, was there in a pink MAGA hat. “Love him or hate him, I just feel it’s really cool to see this moment in history,” she said, smiling. “But I obviously support him.”

Trump, clearly enjoying his role as “Commander-in-Beef,” dished out fries to members of the press, joking, “That’s sort of a bribe. But a fry for a buck is okay.” The former president took orders from excited customers and even posed for photos with McDonald’s employees, adding that he liked the job and would be happy to come back.

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The McDonald’s stop also served as a rallying cry for Trump’s 2024 campaign. With Pennsylvania being one of the most critical swing states in the upcoming election, Trump’s visit to Bucks County was more than just fun and games. The Keystone State has the most Electoral College votes of any battleground state, and winning over voters here could be crucial to either side’s victory. Trump’s campaign stop in Pennsylvania comes amid fierce competition with Harris, who has been making her own push for support in the state.

Harris, who turned 60 on Sunday, has repeatedly maintained that she worked at McDonald’s while studying for her undergraduate degree at Howard University, a story she has used to emphasize her middle-class background and relate to everyday Americans. Her campaign claims she worked the cash register, fry station, and ice cream machine at a McDonald’s on Central Avenue in Alameda, California, during the summer of 1983.

But Trump has long questioned the authenticity of this story, with his son, Donald Trump Jr., even joking, “I think my father knows the McDonald’s menu much better than Kamala Harris ever did.” Trump’s allies have continued to hammer home their skepticism, noting that Harris’ 1987 resume doesn’t mention her purported stint at McDonald’s, and so far, no other evidence has surfaced to support the claim.

During his McDonald’s stop, Trump was quick to poke fun at Harris’ alleged experience, mocking her complaints that working the fry station was “so hot.” “She said it was so hot. It was such a tough job,” Trump said with a grin. He also took a moment to wish Harris a happy birthday. “Happy birthday, Kamala! She’s turning 60. I think I’ll get her some flowers. Maybe I’ll get her some fries… I’ll get her a McDonald’s hamburger. Happy birthday Kamala,” Trump joked.

The timing of the event was also strategic—Trump’s visit to McDonald’s came just before he was slated to hold a rally in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, and later attend a Pittsburgh Steelers game against the New York Jets. Pennsylvania has long been a battleground state in presidential elections, and Trump’s team is eager to solidify support there.

Despite the lighthearted tone of Trump’s McDonald’s stop, it also underscored the serious battle for Pennsylvania’s 19 electoral votes. Trump’s presence in the state has been steady, as he continues to rally voters with his brand of populism, while Harris and her running mate, Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, have focused heavily on urban areas and swing districts.

Sunday’s event was reminiscent of previous times Trump has used fast food to connect with voters. During the 2019 government shutdown, Trump famously served a massive fast-food feast at the White House, ordering over 300 burgers from McDonald’s, Wendy’s, and Burger King to celebrate the Clemson Tigers’ national college football championship win. The gesture was both populist and practical, as White House chefs were furloughed due to the shutdown.

Trump’s love for fast food has become part of his political identity. Throughout his presidency, he was often seen smiling next to orders from McDonald’s, which aides would fetch for him on Air Force One. And in 2023, Trump made headlines when he visited a McDonald’s in East Palestine, Ohio, following a toxic chemical spill that had devastated the town.

During his recent McDonald’s campaign stop, Trump also used the opportunity to take swipes at his Democratic rivals. While handing out food to customers, Trump told reporters that he had recently spoken to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, though he didn’t provide many details about the call. “They’re certainly in a better position, and fortunately, they didn’t listen to Biden and Harris,” Trump said, taking a dig at the current administration’s handling of foreign policy.

As Trump’s 2024 campaign continues to ramp up, his McDonald’s stop in Pennsylvania serves as a reminder that he’s still a master of spectacle, drawing crowds with his unique blend of humor, populism, and sharp political jabs. Whether he’s behind the podium or behind the counter, Trump knows how to serve up a memorable campaign moment—and his supporters are more than happy to take whatever he’s offering.

The McDonald’s visit also reignited the debate over Harris’ working-class roots, a key part of her campaign’s narrative. Harris has repeatedly used her story of working at McDonald’s to connect with voters, but Trump’s public questioning of her claim has turned it into yet another battleground in the 2024 election. As both sides continue to fight for the hearts and minds of voters, Pennsylvania will remain a key state to watch.

For now, though, Trump’s MAGA faithful are just happy to see their candidate flipping burgers and dishing out fries. As one supporter told The New York Post, “Love him or hate him, I just feel it’s really cool to see this moment in history.”

Trump’s foray into the fast-food kitchen may have been lighthearted, but with Pennsylvania’s critical electoral votes at stake, the stakes couldn’t be higher for the former president’s path to the White House. And for those who lined up to see him, it was a once-in-a-lifetime chance to say, “I’ll take whatever he gives me.”