Refuting Democratic candidate Kamala Harris’ claims she worked for the largest fast food chain in the world as a college student some 40 years ago, former President Donald Trump super-sized his promise: to man a McDonald’s fry station for more than just a photo op.
In doing so, he hands-on cosigned the brand he has historically championed in an effort to re-endear himself to certain unconvinced sectors of small-town America; and, more specifically, while the time is nigh during the final stretch run, with November 5 just a couple weeks out, to small-town American voters.
Even if Trump’s challenge of Harris’ past employment is futile, with large outlets confirming McDonald’s did not respond to their employment record inquiries, his visit still signifies the upper hand he holds over his opponent, according to his immovable backing.
“I'll vote for the man that actually served fries over the one that lies,” said Randy Bublitz, of St. James.
Amidst a busy itinerary, Trump may not have had the time to cook up some of his famous go-to’s like the Big Mac or the Filet-o-Fish sandwich. However, in assisting the Feasterville-Trevose, Pennsylvania franchise’s kitchen line on Sunday, October 20, a visit which perhaps was not-so-coincidentally calculated to fall upon Vice President Harris’ 60th birthday, Trump shadowed an employee who taught The Donald exactly how their fries become McDonald-certified.
Adorned with an apron worn over his typical suit-and-tied get-up along the campaign trail, he dunked baskets of these delicious staples in oil and subsequently salted them to precision before putting them into boxes using a scoop.
“It requires great expertise, actually, to do it right and to do it fast,” Trump said, reflecting afterward, “I just saw something… a process that is beautiful.”
Though the in-house staff behaved more than courteously, some affiliated with the corporation have weighed in to rule Trump’s “quickie” as nothing but textbook eyewash: “Being a McDonald’s employee is more difficult than a lot of people imagine,” Mike Haracz, an ex-executive chef for the restaurant chain, told The New York Post ahead of Trump’s shift.
Following the conclusion of a mission completed as drawn up, Trump conducted a press conference from the drive-in, and noted this oddity later on; throughout the occasion, police cautioned off the streets, where crowds ranging from a couple of blocks to 10-15 gathered. Supporters surrounded the premises, and rode on by to honk their horns, blare music and wave flags in solidarity with their presidential guest.
This quelled the initial nervousness of the location’s manager, Derek Giacomantonio, a Trump supporter but logical business owner recognizant of the pitfalls that aligning with the “MAGA” sensibilities can bring.
“It is a fundamental value of my organization that we proudly open our doors to everyone who visits the Feasterville community,” Giacomantonio said in a statement. “That’s why I accepted former President Trump’s request to observe the transformative working experience that 1 in 8 Americans have had: a job at McDonald’s.”
When asked if he would support increased minimum wages after standing beside McDonald’s employees in action, Trump simply offered: “These people work hard. They’re great.”
“As a Donald Trump fan and a supporter of pretty much all of his policies, I truly believe he tries to put himself in the regular everyday American’s shoes,” said Brian Firman, of Coram. “Serving french fries at McDonald’s, what that means to me as a Trump supporter is that he also tries to see America through the average American’s eyes.”
In this case, he didn’t just try. He actually did.