Trump 'Flips Fries' at McDonald’s: What Really Happened?

In the latest twist of the 2024 U.S. presidential race, Donald Trump took his campaign to McDonald's, and it's already making waves. During a stop in the key battleground state of Pennsylvania, Trump decided to put on an apron and fry up some French fries at a McDonald's in Feasterville-Trevose. The reason? To poke fun at Kamala Harris' claim that she worked at McDonald's during her college years.

Trump, 78, made sure it wasn’t just a typical McDonald's visit. "I’ve always wanted to do this," he said with a grin as he entered the fast-food joint, eager to fry up some potatoes. "Well, I'm looking for a job, and I've always wanted to work at McDonald's," Trump joked upon arriving. After putting on his McDonald's uniform, Trump got behind the fryer, cooked up some fries, and handed out orders at the drive-thru window while cameras flashed.

Fast-Food Politics: Trump vs. Harris

This wasn't just a photo-op. It was a calculated move aimed squarely at Harris, who has said she worked at McDonald's during her time at Howard University. Trump, ever the provocateur, has been casting doubt on Harris’ story, repeatedly claiming that she fabricated the job. "I worked at McDonald’s longer than Kamala ever did," Trump bragged, pointing to his 15-minute stint behind the counter.

But there’s more to the story. Rumors have been circulating on social media that Trump’s McDonald’s visit was staged. A Newsweek report noted that a letter from the branch manager claimed the restaurant would be closed for Trump’s visit, raising speculation about how genuine the event was.

Harris' campaign maintains that she worked at a McDonald's in Alameda, California, during the summer of 1983, following her freshman year at Howard University. Despite this, Trump has continued to question her claim.

Trump's Strategy: Fries, Fast Food, and Populism

For Trump, this McDonald's pitstop is another chapter in his effort to present himself as a man of the people. Despite being born into New York real estate wealth, Trump wants voters to see him as a regular guy, even if his latest campaign stunt involved deep-frying potatoes at a franchise his team reportedly arranged to be closed off from the public.

And, of course, Trump had to throw a jab at Harris while he was at it. "I've now worked for 15 minutes more than Kamala... She never worked here," he said through the drive-thru window. He’s continued to repeat the claim that Harris lied about working at McDonald's, despite her campaign insisting she worked at a franchise in California in the summer of 1983.

Adding to the drama, Jon Cooper, a former campaign chair for Barack Obama, posted on social media that Trump's felony convictions would prevent him from actually getting a job at McDonald's. However, McDonald's does hire convicted felons, depending on the location and circumstances, so Cooper's claim may not hold up.

Meanwhile, Harris Celebrates Her Birthday with Soul Music

While Trump was dishing out fries, Kamala Harris was spending her Sunday at two church services in Georgia, celebrating her birthday with a performance by soul legend Stevie Wonder. Harris, however, wasn’t letting Trump steal all the attention. She once again turned the spotlight on Trump’s age, noting that, at 78, he’s the oldest candidate in U.S. history and that he seems too tired to participate in debates.

Staged or Not, the Drama Continues

As the 2024 U.S. election heats up, so does the political theater. From fries to birthday serenades, both Trump and Harris are pulling out all the stops to connect with voters. Whether Trump's McDonald’s stunt was staged or not, one thing’s for sure: this election season is serving up plenty of drama, with a side of fries.