Trump's McDonald's Moment: Fries, Fanfare, and a Missed Wage Discussion

In an ongoing trending move, Donald Trump, the Republican presidential nominee, visited a McDonald's outlet in Feasterville-Trevose, Pennsylvania, where he worked behind the counter, making fries and handing out bags of food at the drive-through window. This staged appearance was seen as a counter to Vice President Kamala Harris' claims of working at McDonald's during her college days, which Trump has consistently disputed.

A Look at Trump's McDonald's Visit

During his 20-minute visit, Trump donned a McDonald's apron and operated the fry station, lifting fries from hot oil, salting them, and packing them into containers. He praised the McDonald's staff and the fast-food giant, saying, "It requires great expertise, actually, to do it right and to do it fast." Trump also waved at a crowd of supporters gathered outside and handed paper bags to screened attendees in cars positioned by the US Secret Service.

The Minimum Wage Debate

Notably, Trump sidestepped a question about increasing the minimum wage, a key issue for many fast-food workers. In Pennsylvania, fast-food workers earn an average of $13.20 per hour, slightly above the federal minimum wage of $7.25 per hour. Advocacy groups like Fight for $15 have long called for a higher federal minimum wage, pressing McDonald's and other fast-food giants to improve worker pay and conditions.

Trump vs. Harris

Trump's visit was also seen as a jab at Harris, whom he has consistently criticized over her claims of working at McDonald's during college. Trump mocked Harris' claims, stating, "Now I've worked for 15 minutes more than Kamala." Harris has previously spoken about her experience working at McDonald's in Alameda, California, in the summer of 1983.

Reactions

Reactions to Trump's visit were mixed, with some praising his willingness to engage with ordinary Americans and others criticizing the staged nature of the event. Elon Musk, the tech billionaire, shared a video of Trump's visit, calling it "awesome." However, Harris' campaign fired back, accusing Trump of exploiting working people for his own gain.

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