Donald Trump visits a McDonald’s in Pennsylvania, claims Kamala Harris lied about her experience at the restaurant without evidence
Former President Donald Trump made a surprise appearance at a McDonald’s in Feasterville, Pennsylvania, on Sunday, ready to serve customers at the drive-thru while reiterating his unsubstantiated claims that Vice President Kamala Harris lied about her previous employment at the fast-food chain.
While taking orders at the restaurant, Trump remarked, “I’ve now worked at McDonald’s for 15 minutes longer than Kamala Harris,” as reporters peppered him with questions, all while wearing his McDonald’s apron.
With just over two weeks remaining until Election Day, Trump traveled to Pennsylvania—an essential battleground state—to persuade undecided voters and secure its valuable 19 electoral votes.
Trump’s visit was a response to Harris’s claim of working at a McDonald’s in the 1980s, which he expressed skepticism about, leading him to work at the restaurant for a campaign event.
Trump, representing the Republican Party, and Harris, from the Democratic Party, are engaged in a neck-and-neck competition in Pennsylvania. Both candidates are actively campaigning in the state as ballots begin to be returned by voters.
This event, likely one of the most unusual campaign stops in Bucks County in years, attracted large crowds, heightened security, and national media attention.
During his visit, Trump handed out McDonald’s chicken nuggets, burgers, and fries in recognizable brown bags to pre-selected customers in a handful of cars. “What a beautiful family,” he exclaimed to one car full of patrons.
He also took a moment to wish Harris a happy birthday, noting she turned 60 that day.
Trump was seen on various news networks donning an apron and learning how to prepare fries from a staff member. Additionally, he discussed the Steelers’ game happening on the same day and inquired about how to “shake” the grease off the fries, according to multiple reports. Trump is set to attend the game against the Jets later that day.
Supporters of Trump and Harris gather for the McDonald’s campaign event
This unconventional campaign stop attracted thousands of Trump supporters, along with a smaller group of Harris supporters who demonstrated nearby with signs.
As has been typical at Trump events, the atmosphere was festive and lively. The sunny and warm weather contributed to a spirited environment, with plenty of signs and flags present, including one that read “Cats for Trump.”
The gathering was marked by loud chants of “USA, USA,” intermixed with music frequently played at Trump’s rallies, such as “God Bless the USA” and the Village People’s “YMCA.” Supporters were seen dancing joyfully while cars passing by honked their horns in solidarity, and the crowd responded enthusiastically.
John and Kate Devlin from Huntington Valley mentioned that they attended the campaign event primarily to see Trump. “It’s a great opportunity for our kids to witness history,” Kate shared.
John Devlin also expressed his concerns about safety, noting he relocated his barber shop from Northeast Philadelphia to Montgomery County due to crime. “There was a shooting outside my shop. This country needs improved law enforcement,” he stated.
The crowd consisted mainly of families and small business owners, with many working-class individuals eager for economic improvements. “I believe Donald Trump represents our future,” stated Luba Kaun from Holland, who was in attendance with her.
At McDonald’s, patrons selected to be served by Trump lined up at the drive-thru even before the former president’s arrival on Sunday afternoon. The first vehicle, a black Jeep Wrangler operated by a man named Jim from Bucks County, ordered fries and McNuggets.
Security was stringent, with sniper teams stationed on the roof of McDonald’s and the nearby Guy’s Bicycles. Secret Service agents along with K-9 units patrolled the area, while local police donned military green SWAT uniforms.
What brought Donald Trump to a McDonald’s in Pennsylvania today?
Since at least 2019, Harris has shared that she worked at a McDonald’s during her college years back in the 1980s.
“I worked fries and then the cashier,” she recounted during an interview earlier this year. When asked about her preferred McDonald’s order, she mentioned, “Probably a Quarter Pounder with cheese and fries.”
For months, Trump has alleged without any proof that Harris never worked at the fast-food restaurant.
Harris maintained that she was employed there as a student at Howard University roughly 40 years ago.
“One of the reasons I talk about my time at McDonald’s is to highlight the workers there who are striving to support their families,” she stated during a September interview.
McDonald’s has refrained from commenting on the matter and has not verified whether the vice president was an employee of the fast-food chain.
The company estimates that one in eight Americans has been employed by them at some point.
Jim Worthington, a supporter of Trump and the owner of Newtown Athletic Club, organized the visit to McDonald’s through the franchise owner and his friend, Derek Giacomantonio, who chose not to comment. A spokesperson mentioned that all communications needed approval from corporate in Chicago.
Nonetheless, a source pointed out a McDonald’s executive present, who avoided responding when asked by a reporter from the Bucks County Courier Times if Harris had ever been an employee of the company. In a press release issued on Sunday, McDonald’s stated, “As a brand, McDonald’s does not support candidates for public office and this applies to the current presidential race. We are neither red nor blue — we are golden.”
Trump and Harris are competing for Pennsylvania in the presidential election, a state where the opinions of white working-class voters, often familiar with minimum-wage jobs like those at McDonald’s, could be decisive.
A critical region in Pennsylvania
Trump’s appearance in Bucks County was his second in the Philadelphia area since last Monday.
During a town hall in Oaks, Montgomery County, Trump stopped answering questions after medical emergencies in the audience, instead opting to dance and play music for 39 minutes as supporters gradually left.
Harris held a gathering at Washington Crossing Historic Park in Bucks on Thursday, advocating “country over party” alongside over 100 Republicans.
Bucks County stands out as the narrowest swing county in southeastern Pennsylvania, and apart from Luzerne County, it has the tiniest margin between Republicans and Democrats among total voters. With its 19 electoral votes, Pennsylvania is crucial for the 2024 election.
Among the 486,740 voters in Bucks County, Republicans represent about 41.6% while Democrats account for approximately 41%. For the first time in at least a decade, Democrats lost their voter lead over Republicans in July. Luzerne County has a minimal Republican edge of just 0.46%.
Although Trump has not won Bucks County in the previous two presidential elections — Clinton secured a win with 48.7% to Trump’s 47.6%, and Biden took it with a four-point advantage at 51% of the vote — he still boasts a strong base of supporters.
