McDonald’s staff reveal everything that was wrong with Trump’s brief but viral stint at outlet

McDonald's employees pointed out his lack of proper uniform and questioned his food-handling techniques
PUBLISHED OCT 23, 2024
Donald Trump’s recent visit to a McDonald’s outlet in Pennsylvania drew criticism from staff over several hygiene and safety oversights (Getty Images)
Donald Trump’s recent visit to a McDonald’s outlet in Pennsylvania drew criticism from staff over several hygiene and safety oversights (Getty Images)

BUCKS COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA: Donald Trump may enjoy his meals at McDonald’s, but he still has much to learn about working at the fast-food chain.

The former president’s recent visit to a McDonald’s in Bucks County, Pennsylvania, grabbed considerable media attention and also raised several eyebrows.

A large crowd and media lined the street outside the restaurant, which was closed to the public for Trump’s visit.

Donald Trump's missteps during McDonald's stint

Donald Trump served food through the drive-thru window and worked the fry cooker but some people have pointed out that he wasn’t taking proper precautions.

According to the New York Times, for starters, Trump failed to wear a hairnet over his distinctive hairstyle, which is a basic hygiene requirement. He also didn’t wear gloves, potentially due to his aversion to being called a “short-fingered vulgarian” by Vanity Fair owner Graydon Carter.

These two oversights represent significant health violations, despite Trump’s claim that the fries “never touched the human hand".

Staff members pointed out his lack of proper uniform, hat, and non-slip shoes. Social media user DodgyRogue questioned, “Where’s his approved uniform shirt? His hat?”

Another user, Adinnieken, noted that Trump was not wearing non-slip footwear and was indeed lacking a hairnet.

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)
Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump during a visit to a McDonald's restaurant on October 20, 2024 in Feasterville-Trevose, Pennsylvania (Doug Mills-Pool/Getty Images)

McDonald’s employees were critical of his food-handling techniques as well. David Ye, a New York McDonald’s worker, observed, “The box is, like, backwards. He doesn’t seem to know how to do it,” referring to Trump’s method of scooping fries into a carton.

Moreover, a Brooklyn McDonald’s manager criticized Trump’s excessive salting of fries. “You don’t throw salt like that,” manager Kishia explained.

“Somebody could have been behind him, you know?” added Kishia.

Venus Rodriguez, a general manager at a Williamsburg McDonald’s, expressed concern over safety, stating that a 78-year-old should not have been left in charge of the fryer.

While some employees felt the stunt boosted the morale of Trump supporters, others found it patronizing.

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 works behind the counter making french fries during a visit to McDonald's restaurant on October 20, 2024 in Feasterville-Trevose, Pennsylvania (Doug Mills-Pool/Getty Images)

Despite the criticism, Trump seemed unfazed. During a visit to survey damage from Hurricane Helene in North Carolina on October 21, he showed off a pin he received for his brief stint at McDonald’s.

“For those of you who did not get to see it, I presented President Trump with the French Fries Certification Pin,” said Rep Chuck Edwards (R-NC), as Trump posed for cameras.

Pollster Kristen Soltis-Anderson praised Trump’s strategy, suggesting it differentiated him from other wealthy politicians.

“This was an unbelievably smart move!” she remarked.

Donald Trump tries to counter Kamala Harris' McDonald's summer job claim

Donald Trump's McDonald's stint came as he reiterated his claim that his Democratic opponent, Kamala Harris, never worked at the chain in 1983, despite her assertions.

Harris had earlier spoken about her college summer job at McDonald's where she worked the cash register and made fries.

“We have checked with McDonald’s, and they say, definitively, that there is no record of Lyin’ Kamala Harris ever having worked there,” Trump stated on Truth Social.



 

The Washington Post reported that McDonald’s had no records from that time, but that didn’t necessarily mean Harris didn’t work there.

A message to staff noted, “Though we are not a political brand, we’ve been proud to hear former President Trump’s love for McDonald’s and Vice President Harris’s fond memories working under the Arches.”

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