Donald Trump, the Republican presidential nominee, made headlines with his latest campaign stop in Feasterville-Trevose, Bucks County, Pennsylvania—an area critical in swing-state politics. On this visit, Trump briefly manned the fry station at a McDonald’s, serving takeout to a few lucky customers in the drive-thru lane. Known for his love of McDonald’s, the former president took the opportunity to serve up burgers and fries, all while cameras rolled. While the event seemed lighthearted and was aimed at connecting with voters in this key battleground state, it stirred up quite the controversy, both online and offline.
Trump Behind the Counter: A Real Shift or Staged Spectacle?
As part of his routine, Trump threw on an apron over his classic shirt and tie combo. But here’s the kicker—he didn’t bother with the gloves or a hairnet. He later shrugged it off, saying his hands were "nice and clean." This simple statement raised eyebrows, especially given that he’s well-known for his germaphobic tendencies. But, it wasn’t just Trump’s lack of gloves that caused a stir; it turns out the McDonald's location itself wasn’t in the best standing when it came to cleanliness either.
The Bucks County McDonald's where Trump "worked" had actually failed a recent health inspection. That’s right—on March 27, just months before Trump’s visit, the restaurant was hit with several health code violations. According to a report by the Bucks County Department of Health, the issues ranged from employees not washing their hands properly to improper food storage temperatures. Ironically, one of the very violations mentioned was employees not washing their hands before putting on gloves or after engaging in activities that could contaminate them. Sounds familiar, right? Trump’s quick jump into the fast-food gig without washing his hands or using protective gear seemed to mirror these exact concerns.
Health Violations in the Spotlight
Now, let’s dig into that inspection report. The health violations listed were pretty concerning, particularly in the food industry. The inspector noted that employees were seen not washing their hands before donning gloves, after handling soiled tableware, or even after working with raw meat. To make matters worse, some workers were observed handling raw beef, then switching gloves without properly washing their hands in between. That’s a major no-no when it comes to food safety protocols.
And it didn’t stop there. The report also highlighted that some food workers weren’t wearing proper hair restraints—another requirement for food safety. Management, who were helping package and prepare food, were seen without the mandated hair coverings, hats, or nets. The county inspector was clear about the rules, stating that all employees, including those in management roles, should wear hair restraints that prevent their hair from coming into contact with food or clean equipment.
In addition to the cleanliness issues, there was also a problem with food storage. Some items weren’t being stored at the right temperatures, and a walk-in freezer was noted for having "heavy ice and frost buildup." That’s not just inconvenient for workers; it’s also a potential health risk if it affects the safety of stored food. The freezer needed immediate repair and maintenance to meet health standards.
Social Media Reacts: Criticism and Concern
As you might expect, the internet had a field day with the news. Social media users were quick to point out the irony of Trump working in a McDonald's that had failed a health inspection. Some even raised concerns about food safety violations based on Trump’s actions during his brief "shift."
Tonya McKenzie, a public relations expert, took to X (formerly Twitter) to voice her frustrations. She pointed out that closing the store for Trump’s visit led to workers losing wages, especially considering Trump’s past reluctance to support overtime pay for hourly workers. But it was the lack of gloves and hairnet that really irked her. “This is dumb,” she wrote bluntly, echoing the thoughts of many who viewed Trump’s handling of food without gloves as grossly unsanitary.
Lynn Marchitelli also chimed in, tweeting that the photos of Trump at McDonald’s made her want to scream. She noted the numerous food safety violations in plain sight—no hairnet, no gloves—and expressed her disgust at the situation. Meanwhile, another user known as @CHERRYW00609336 sarcastically commented, "Trump is using his bare hands handling food, no gloves. Health and safety code violation," driving home the point that Trump’s appearance behind the counter wasn’t just a political stunt—it was a potential health hazard.
For some, Trump’s McDonald’s visit was nothing more than a calculated PR move. Seth Abramson, a journalist and lawyer, didn’t mince words when he tweeted about the event, calling it "grotesquely embarrassing mummery." He argued that the entire spectacle was fake—the restaurant was closed, the customers weren’t real, and Trump didn’t actually do anything of substance. To Abramson, it was all for show.
A Stunt Amid a Long-Standing Feud
Trump’s fast-food appearance wasn’t just about shaking hands (or in this case, serving fries). It also came on the heels of his latest attacks on Vice President Kamala Harris, the Democratic nominee. Harris has recounted her time working at McDonald’s during her college years, but Trump has repeatedly cast doubt on her story. He’s called her claims lies, though he’s offered no real evidence to back up these accusations.
It seems that this visit was, in part, Trump’s way of trolling Harris while appealing to his base. After all, fast food—particularly McDonald's—has long been a part of Trump’s image. He’s famously known for his love of Big Macs and Diet Coke, and this campaign stop was a chance to cement that connection further. But whether or not it worked in his favor is another question entirely.
Health Concerns and PR Risks
One can’t help but wonder if this visit to a McDonald’s with a failing health grade will leave a lasting impression on voters, particularly those concerned with health and safety issues. Fast food workers have long been on the front lines of food safety, and Trump’s disregard for basic hygiene practices during his visit could be seen as disrespectful to the workers who have to follow those rules every day. Plus, the restaurant’s failure to meet health standards only amplifies the concern that Trump’s quick stint at the fry station was more about optics than substance.
In the end, what could’ve been a fun, relatable moment for Trump’s campaign quickly turned into a controversy. While his base may have cheered at the sight of him behind the counter at one of America’s most iconic fast-food chains, others saw the visit as a poorly executed PR stunt, full of health risks and missed opportunities to address real issues. Only time will tell how this moment will play out in the broader narrative of Trump’s campaign, but one thing’s for sure—those fries came with a side of controversy.
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