Donald Trump’s recent stunt at a Pennsylvania McDonald’s has drawn sharp criticism from fast-food workers and observers, as the former president tried his hand at working the fry cooker and drive-thru window without meeting basic health and safety standards. The event, which Trump staged to mock Vice President Kamala Harris, has sparked outrage, particularly as the restaurant involved had previously failed a health inspection.
No Gloves, No Hairnet: Health Violations in Focus
Trump’s attempt to undermine Harris’ credibility by questioning her past work experience took a bizarre turn over the weekend when he donned a McDonald’s apron and “worked” for 15 minutes at a Bucks County branch. However, eagle-eyed viewers noticed that the former president, wearing a white button-down shirt and ketchup-red tie, failed to follow basic food safety protocols. He was photographed working without gloves or a hairnet, at a location that had earlier been cited for similar violations.
In March, the Feasterville-Trevose McDonald’s branch had been flagged by the Bucks County Health Department for four health code violations, including employees not washing their hands properly, handling raw meat without sanitising, and failing to wear proper hair restraints. Despite these concerns, Trump proceeded to serve food to customers without following safety measures.
McDonald’s Workers Criticise Trump’s Stunt
Fast-food employees have since taken to social media to voice their disapproval of Trump’s brief McDonald’s appearance. On the Reddit forum r/McDonaldsEmployees, workers pointed out that Trump was not wearing an official uniform or following other safety regulations that employees are expected to meet daily. One user, DodgyRogue, questioned: “Where’s his approved uniform shirt? His hat?” Another worker, Adinnieken, highlighted that Trump was not wearing the required non-slip shoes, a standard practice in kitchens to avoid accidents.
Many felt that Trump’s brief shift was not only a poor attempt at mocking Harris but also an insult to fast-food workers who endure long, gruelling hours. “Great, so he passed out bags of food for 5 minutes for a photo op… now let’s see him actually take on the responsibility of a full shift every day for a few years,” wrote Rofflewafflelol, another user on the forum. Many agreed that the stunt came across as disingenuous and disrespectful to people who work hard in fast food to make a living.
Campaigning or Cosplay?
Trump’s event at McDonald’s was part of a broader attempt to discredit Kamala Harris, who once worked at the fast-food chain in her youth. Both Trump and his son, Donald Trump Jr., have taken jabs at Harris, accusing her of exaggerating her work experience at the company in an effort to seem relatable. “I think my father knows the McDonald’s menu much better than Kamala Harris ever did,” Trump Jr. said, echoing his father’s sentiments.
However, many see the move as yet another example of Trump’s divisive tactics, using the event to make a personal jab rather than address pressing issues. The former president also dodged a question on whether he supports increasing the minimum wage, a key issue for fast-food workers who often earn between R248 and R287 an hour (Rands converted).
Despite his dismissive tone, Trump acknowledged the hard work of fast-food employees, though his failure to wear proper safety gear and the brevity of his “shift” cast doubt on how serious he was about the gesture. “I’ve now worked 15 minutes more than Kamala,” Trump quipped, but many workers found the remark to be condescending.
Health Concerns Remain Unaddressed
The photoshoot has also raised questions about the sanitary conditions of the restaurant during Trump’s visit, particularly given its history of health code violations. The Bucks County Health Department and McDonald’s have yet to comment on whether additional precautions were taken during the event. Workers at the branch were reportedly not paid during the 30-minute closure for Trump’s visit, though this remains unconfirmed.
While the stunt may have been an attempt to win over voters in a key swing state, the backlash from fast-food workers and health concerns surrounding the event have overshadowed the intended political message.
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