Lara Trump labels Donald Trump's McDonald's visit 'lighthearted' political stunt after hairnet dispute

Lara Trump criticized the Democratic Party for evoking the hairnet controversy around Donald Trump's 'political stunt' at McDonald's
PUBLISHED OCT 22, 2024
Lara Trump admitted Donald Trump's McDonald's visit was a 'stunt' (Getty Images)
Lara Trump admitted Donald Trump's McDonald's visit was a 'stunt' (Getty Images)

FEASTERVILLE, PENNSYLVANIA: Lara Trump acknowledged that Donald Trump’s recent visit to a Pennsylvania McDonald’s was a political stunt, following criticism over his failure to wear a hairnet while serving fries.

During the visit, the Republican frontrunner was seen working the fryer and handing out extra fries to customers at the drive-through window, a move that drew both praise and backlash.

Lara Trump says Donald Trump's McDonald's stint was 'fun'

In an interview with Newsmax host Bianca de la Garza, Lara Trump defended Donald Trump's visit, which she described as "fun and lighthearted."

Republican presidential nominee, former U.S. President Donald Trump works behind the counter making french fries during a visit to McDonald's restaurant on October 20, 2024 in Feasterville-Trevose, Pennsylvania. Trump is campaigning the entire day in the state of Pennsylvania. Trump and Democratic presidential nominee Vice President Kamala Harris continue to campaign in battleground swing states ahead of the November 5th election. (Photo by Doug Mills-Pool/Getty Images)
Donald Trump worked behind the counter making french fries during a visit to McDonald's restaurant on October 20, 2024 in Feasterville-Trevose, Pennsylvania (Getty Images)

De la Garza compared the energy surrounding the former president’s visit to McDonald’s to the tone of Vice President Kamala Harris’ campaign, suggesting that Republicans were enjoying themselves more.

Lara agreed, saying, "Well, Donald Trump was having a great time at a McDonald's, working the fryer there, putting extra fries in for people, handing them out through the drive-through window."

The Republican National Committee co-chair acknowledged that the visit was not a full work shift, responding to criticisms of the stunt.

"Everybody knows that this was a political stunt. Yeah, but it was fun and it was lighthearted," said Lara.

Donald Trump's hairnet controversy sparks debate

One of the criticisms of Donald Trump’s McDonald’s visit was his failure to wear a hairnet while handling food.

Critics, including Rep Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY), took to social media to point out the former president’s lack of compliance with basic food safety regulations.

Lara dismissed the hairnet controversy and criticized those who ridiculed the former president’s appearance.

"I saw somebody say he wasn't wearing a hairnet," she noted, adding that such complaints were evidence of the Democratic Party’s frustration.

"They are making fun of us. It's not a costume. It's a uniform," de la Garza chimed in, defending Donald Trump’s actions during his McDonald’s visit.

Republican presidential nominee, former U.S. President Donald Trump works behind the counter making french fries during a visit to McDonald's restaurant on October 20, 2024 in Feasterville-Trevose, Pennsylvania. Trump is campaigning the entire day in the state of Pennsylvania. Trump and Democratic presidential nominee Vice President Kamala Harris continue to campaign in battleground swing states ahead of the November 5th election. (Photo by Doug Mills-Pool/Getty Images)
Donald Trump's stint as a fry cooker at a McDonald's outlet on October 20, 2024 in Pennsylvania sparked controversy his failure to wear a hairnet while handling food (Getty Images)

Lara Trump criticizes Kamala Harris

Lara Trump further criticized those who downplayed the significance of retail-style political stops, like Donald Trump’s visit to McDonald’s.

"When you hear people go out there and try to knock somebody for a retail politics-type stop, like at a McDonald's, I think it's ridiculous," she said.

She also compared the 78-year-old politician’s ability to connect with everyday Americans to that of Harris, arguing that the Vice President would not have had the same impact in a similar setting.

"Kamala Harris could never have gone in there and done this sort of thing and actually had the same impact as Donald Trump, and she knows it," Lara asserted, according to Raw Story.

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