Trump Claims Unique Fast Food Background at McDonald’s Summit

On Monday, President Donald Trump made a light-hearted remark claiming he is the first former McDonald’s fry cook to become president. His 30-minute shift, he joked, was “longer than Kamala’s shift.”

At the McDonald’s Impact Summit 2025 in Washington, D.C., Trump tied his fast food experience to themes from his recent campaign, emphasizing his humor and strong work ethic, which he suggested distinguish him from former Vice President Kamala Harris.

He told attendees that his brief time at McDonald’s gives him a unique bragging right as the only commander-in-chief who has worn an apron at the famous Golden Arches. Trump even thanked a McDonald’s employee who confirmed that Harris had never worked at the chain.

“It’s an honor to stand before you as the first former McDonald’s fry cook to become President of the United States,” Trump stated. “I was there for about 30 minutes, which is 30 minutes longer than Kamala was there even though she worked at McDonald’s. It didn’t go too well.”

The humor continued from his campaign appearances in Pennsylvania last October, where he donned a McDonald’s apron and demonstrated fry-cooking skills in front of cameras. During that visit, he took the opportunity to criticize Harris and showcase his supposed connection to everyday working Americans.

When he entered the restaurant, cheers erupted from the crowd, and he interacted with employees before heading to the fry station. “Hello, everyone. This is my first day at McDonald’s. I’m looking for a job,” he said, adding, “I’m working 15 minutes more at McDonald’s now than Kamala.”

Throughout the event, Trump served fries, took drive-thru orders, and shared his long-held wish to flip fries under the iconic arches. He even wished Harris a happy birthday while sneaking in a jab.

At the summit, he praised McDonald’s as a beacon of affordability and American success, calling himself one of its most dedicated patrons. He noted that his campaign plane was stocked with burgers and fries, rather than costly catering options.

Trump insisted that McDonald’s has done more to support its employees and stabilize prices for families than many other corporations. He highlighted the global reach and value meals as evidence of American innovation.

“I’m one of your most loyal customers ever,” Trump asserted, emphasizing the differences in how politicians typically approach campaign meals. He recalled how Trump Force One was filled with McDonald’s during his campaign—implying it was a staple. “You even made Bobby Kennedy eat a Big Mac, and he told me he loved it,” he added.

Linking his praise for McDonald’s with broader economic claims, Trump said the economy is recovering and costs are coming down. “Breakfast menu prices have fallen 14% in the last six months,” he commented, also noting drops in prices for bread, dairy, and eggs, attributing some of this to McDonald’s efforts.

He wrapped up his speech by calling McDonald’s “the cornerstone of the American Dream” and urged franchise owners to continue focusing on quality and affordability. “From the cashier starting his first job to the franchise opening his first store, that is the American dream,” Trump remarked, with a nostalgic smile. “I made fries, and the response was love.”