In a move that sent ripples through the political landscape, McDonald’s Corp. has firmly declared its neutrality in the upcoming presidential election. This declaration comes on the heels of former President Donald Trump’s highly publicized visit to a McDonald’s restaurant in Pennsylvania on Sunday, an event that saw the former president donning an apron and serving french fries to enthusiastic supporters.
While the former president’s visit was undoubtedly eye-catching, McDonald’s made it clear that it will not be endorsing any candidates, asserting, “McDonald’s does not endorse candidates for elected office, and that remains true in this race for the next president. We are not red or blue — we are golden.”
This statement echoes the company’s commitment to remaining impartial in the political arena, a stance it has consistently maintained.
Despite the political implications of Trump’s visit, McDonald’s highlighted its core values, stating, “Upon learning of the former president’s request, we approached it through the lens of our core values: we open our doors to everyone.” The company further underscored this commitment by revealing that independent franchisees, who operate over 95% of U.S. locations, have also invited Vice President Kamala Harris and her running mate, Tim Walz, to visit.
Trump’s fries-serving escapades provided a lighthearted moment amidst the intense political campaign. The 78-year-old former president, wearing a black-and-yellow apron over a white shirt and red tie, enthusiastically took on the task of serving french fries to eager supporters. He even attempted to follow the fry-making process, observing an employee dunk a basket of fries in oil, season them with salt, and pack them into boxes.
Videos captured Trump attempting the process himself, prompting him to remark, “It actually requires great expertise to do it right and quickly.”
Trump’s campaign stop in Pennsylvania served as a playful jab at Vice President Harris, who has previously mentioned her past employment at McDonald’s in the 1980s. From the drive-thru window, Trump quipped, “I’ve now worked for 15 minutes more than Kamala at McDonald’s.”
This lighthearted campaign stop was a reminder that even in the midst of fierce political competition, there’s still room for a dose of humor, and perhaps, a taste of McDonald’s fries. While McDonald’s remains neutral in the election, the former president’s fries-serving escapade will surely be a memorable moment in the campaign, leaving the question of whether it will influence the outcome of the election to be answered on Election Day.