‘Not a plant,’ DoorDash fires back as White House McDonald’s delivery sparks conspiracy

WASHINGTON, DC: A high-profile photo op at the White House has spiraled into a digital firestorm, forcing DoorDash into a "sensational" public defense of its participation in a planned delivery stunt.

The controversy began on Monday, April 13, when DoorDash driver Sharon Simmons arrived at the executive mansion with a McDonald’s order for President Donald J. Trump, an event intended to celebrate the "No Tax on Tips" policy within the President’s "Big Beautiful Bill."

However, the "feel-good" PR moment quickly soured after internet sleuths discovered that Simmons had previously testified at a Republican-led hearing in Nevada in 2025.

The revelation that she was a vocal supporter of the bill long before the delivery led to viral accusations that the entire event was a staged "Deep State" style setup featuring a hand-picked political plant.

Crowley slams ‘touch grass’ conspiracy theories

Julian Crowley, a Public Affairs representative for DoorDash, took to social media to aggressively dismantle the narrative that Simmons was an actor.

Responding to critics, Crowley argued that Simmons is a genuine "Dasher" who simply moved states after her 2025 testimony.

"Is it really so hard to believe that the same person moved states and then participated in a special delivery to mark the policy she testified in support of?" Crowley fired back.

In a particularly blunt exchange, Crowley told one user to "touch grass," insisting that the event was never intended to be viewed as a spontaneous, real-world delivery.

"No one is claiming it was a real delivery," Crowley stated. "It was clearly and obviously a planned event to mark a new policy starting. To claim Sharon is a prop, plant, or an actor is totally wrong and off base."

Dasher dodges Trump’s ‘trans-athlete’ query

The event itself was not without its own awkward moments.

While the PR stunt was designed to highlight tax relief for gig workers, President Trump utilized the media presence to pivot toward controversial topics, including the ongoing war in Iran and his stance on trans athletes. 

In a moment that has since gone viral, Trump attempted to draw Simmons into the cultural debate by asking for her opinion on trans athletes in sports.

Simmons, appearing visibly uncomfortable, successfully "dodged" the President's query. She redirected the conversation back to the economic policy at hand, stating she was only there to celebrate the bipartisan "No Tax on Tips" legislation.

Despite her attempt to remain on-message, the exchange has only added fuel to the social media debate regarding the "coordination" between the gig-economy giant and the White House.

White House defends ‘bipartisan’ policy win

The administration has remained steadfast in its support of the event, framing the "No Tax on Tips" policy as a landmark victory for the American worker.

A White House spokesperson noted that the bill passed the Senate unanimously, a rare feat of bipartisanship in a "locked and loaded" political climate. To the administration, Simmons represents the millions of workers who will see immediate relief under the new tax code.

Despite the "PR stunt" label from critics, DoorDash maintains that the event was a legitimate way to mark the start of a policy that directly benefits its fleet.

"She is a Dasher and she participated to support the policy that benefits her," Crowley concluded.