Was Donald Trump’s McDonald's Shift Staged? Outlet Allegedly Closed for the Day

A viral notice sparked widespread speculation over Donald Trump's recent visit to a McDonald's outlet in Feasterville, Pennsylvania, suggesting the entire event may have been staged. While it’s no secret that Trump doesn’t actually work at McDonald's, questions have arisen about whether the customers served by the former president were also part of a pre-planned spectacle.

The Viral Notice: A Clue?

The buzz began when a notice, apparently signed by Derek Giacomantonio, the manager of the Feasterville McDonald's, went viral on Reddit. The note apologized for the store being closed on October 20 until 4 p.m. to accommodate a special visit from Donald Trump and his campaign team. It emphasized that while McDonald's isn’t a political organization, they were honored to welcome the former president and appreciated the chance to highlight the opportunities that working at McDonald's provides.

The notice also emphasized McDonald's role in the local community, stating that it wanted to shine a light on small businesses and the skills that a job at McDonald's can offer to employees. The manager's letter praised the franchise as more than just a fast-food joint, calling it a “pathway to critical skills development and meaningful career opportunities.”

Was the McDonald's Visit Staged?

While Trump’s campaign shared photos and videos of the former president “working a shift” at the McDonald's, reports soon emerged claiming that the event was heavily staged. According to The Washington Post,the restaurant was, in fact, closed during Trump's visit, and the customers he was seen serving weren’t random patrons, but people who had been screened by the Secret Service and positioned before Trump’s arrival. The customers didn’t just happen to show up and be surprised by Trump handing them their burgers and fries—they were allegedly well-prepared for the scene.

This revelation has raised eyebrows. Many critics are now questioning whether Trump’s fast-food gig was more about optics than reality, creating the impression that he was connecting with ordinary Americans, when in fact, it was a carefully controlled and scripted event.

Trump’s Shift and Kamala Harris Jab

During his brief time behind the McDonald's counter, Trump wasted no time taking a jab at Vice President Kamala Harris. Speaking through the drive-thru window, he reportedly quipped, "I've now worked for 15 minutes more than Kamala. She never worked here."

This remark is part of a broader narrative Trump’s campaign has been pushing. Trump and his supporters have been questioning Harris's claim that she worked at a McDonald's during her college years. Trump’s campaign alleges that no McDonald's has any record of the vice president ever being employed there, calling into doubt her efforts to connect with middle-class voters.

Trump’s McDonald's Obsession

Trump’s apparent fixation on working at McDonald's seems to stem from Harris’s claim of having worked there during college. For many Americans, a McDonald's job is a relatable experience, often a first step into the working world or a way to earn some extra cash. By taking a “shift” at McDonald's, Trump appeared to be aiming to bridge the gap between himself—a billionaire businessman—and the everyday Americans who frequently work in fast food.

However, critics argue that Trump’s staged appearance does little to make him seem relatable. Instead, it’s being viewed as another example of the former president trying to craft a narrative that doesn’t align with reality. His quip about working 15 minutes longer than Kamala Harris was meant to draw attention to his claim that she never worked at the fast-food chain, casting doubt on her ability to relate to working-class Americans.

A Carefully Controlled Publicity Stunt?

Ultimately, the controversy surrounding Trump’s McDonald's visit comes down to whether it was a genuine attempt to connect with everyday workers or just a well-crafted publicity stunt. With reports claiming the store was closed and the customers were pre-selected, it’s hard to ignore the possibility that this entire scene was orchestrated for political gain.

Trump has long been known for his love of McDonald's, frequently indulging in Big Macs and fries on the campaign trail. But this visit, critics argue, was less about enjoying fast food and more about scoring political points in a battle of relatability with Kamala Harris. Whether or not the McDonald's was actually closed or the customers were actors, the viral debate continues to unfold, keeping Trump’s name in the headlines—just as he intended.

In the end, the event highlighted the fine line between political showmanship and authenticity. Was it a sincere attempt by Trump to work a shift like millions of Americans, or just another staged event? Either way, Trump’s McDonald's gig has sparked plenty of debate, ensuring the story—and his name—stay in the news.