Trump jokes he’s first former McDonald’s fry cook to become president, hailing the chain’s spirit
In a lively appearance at the McDonald’s Impact Summit 2025 in Washington, D.C., President Donald Trump humorously claimed the title of the first former McDonald’s fry cook to ascend to the presidency. During his speech, Trump recounted his brief 30-minute stint behind the fryer, using this anecdote to draw a contrast with Vice President Kamala Harris, who he joked had a less successful experience at the fast-food chain. This playful jab at Harris was not a new tactic; it echoed remarks he made during a campaign stop in Pennsylvania last fall, where he donned a McDonald’s apron and engaged with employees while serving fries. Trump’s attempt to connect with franchisees and working-class Americans was evident as he highlighted his loyalty to the brand, stating, “I’m honored to stand before you as the very first former McDonald’s fry cook ever to become President of the United States.”
Throughout his address, Trump celebrated McDonald’s as a quintessential symbol of American success and affordability. He touted his own consumption of the fast-food giant, revealing that his campaign plane, Trump Force One, was regularly stocked with burgers and fries instead of lavish catering. This personal touch was meant to reinforce his image as a relatable leader who understands the everyday experiences of Americans. Trump also linked his praise for McDonald’s to broader economic themes, claiming that the fast-food chain has played a significant role in keeping prices steady for families and supporting American jobs. He pointed out recent drops in food prices, stating, “In the past six months, the price of breakfast items has fallen 14%,” and credited McDonald’s for helping to lower costs for consumers.
Closing his speech, Trump emphasized the importance of McDonald’s in the American dream narrative, portraying the fast-food chain as a pathway for many, from young cashiers to franchise owners. He stated, “From the cashier starting her first job, to a franchisee opening his first location, to the young family in a drive-thru line — that’s the American dream.” This framing not only reinforced his connection with the audience but also positioned McDonald’s as a vital player in the economic landscape, underscoring his administration’s focus on job creation and affordability. By blending humor with serious economic observations, Trump aimed to solidify his rapport with the franchisees while promoting his vision for America’s economic future.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5GSWN36TOOY
President
Donald Trump
said Monday that he was the first former McDonald’s fry cook to become president — a 30-minute shift, he joked, that lasted “longer than Kamala’s.”
Speaking at the McDonald’s Impact Summit 2025 in Washington, D.C., Trump used his fast-food experience to connect with franchisees and reinforce a theme he introduced on the campaign trail last fall — that his humor and work ethic set him apart from former Vice President
Kamala Harris.
The president told the crowd his short stint behind the fryer gave him bragging rights as the only commander in chief to have worn an apron under the golden arches. He also thanked the McDonald’s employee who verified that Harris never worked there.
“I’m honored to stand before you as the very first former McDonald’s fry cook ever to become President of the United States,” Trump said. “And I actually was there for about 30 minutes, and that was 30 minutes longer than Kamala was there, despite her job at McDonald’s. That didn’t work out too well.”
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The joke carried over from an October 2024 campaign stop in Pennsylvania, where Trump put on a McDonald’s apron and worked the fryer while cameras rolled. He used the visit to rib Harris and highlight what he called his connection to working Americans.
He entered the restaurant to cheers, greeting employees and supporters as he grabbed a spatula and headed for the fry station.
“Hello, everybody. It’s my first day at McDonald’s — I’m looking for a job,” Trump said as he shook hands with the owner. “I’ve now worked for 15 minutes more than Kamala at McDonald’s.”
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He handed out fries, took drive-thru orders and talked with reporters about wages and what he called his lifelong wish to flip fries under the golden arches. He also wished Harris a happy birthday while tossing another jab her way.
At the Impact Summit, Trump praised McDonald’s as a symbol of affordability and American success, calling himself one of the company’s most loyal customers and noting that his planes were stocked with burgers and fries instead of expensive catering.
He credited the chain’s global reach and value meals as proof of American innovation, saying McDonald’s had done more than most corporations to support workers and keep prices steady for families.
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“I’m also one of your all-time most loyal customers,” Trump said. “Other politicians fly around on campaign planes stocked with expensive catering. When Trump Force One — prior to ascending to Air Force One — flew during the campaign, we served only McDonald’s almost every time. On occasion we couldn’t find one, which is pretty hard to believe, but we really did. You fed us very well, and I even got Bobby Kennedy to eat a Big Mac. He told me he loved it.”
Trump tied his praise for McDonald’s to his broader argument that the
economy had rebounded
and prices were easing. He said McDonald’s was helping lower costs for consumers while keeping jobs in the U.S.
“In the past six months, the
price of breakfast items has fallen
14%,” Trump said. “Bread prices are down, dairy prices are down, and the price of eggs has declined 86% since March. I want to give a very special thanks to McDonald’s for slashing prices for the most popular items. We’re getting prices down for this country, and there’s no better leader or advocate than McDonald’s.”
He closed by urging franchise owners to stay focused on quality and affordability, calling McDonald’s a “cornerstone of the American dream.”
“From the cashier
starting her first job,
to a franchisee opening his first location, to the young family in a drive-thru line — that’s the American dream,” Trump said. “I made the French fries, and the response was love.”
Fox News Digital’s Stepheny Price contributed to this report.
