Donald Trump said he would respect the results of next months vote if its a fair election after he served bags of takeout to his supporters through drive-thru window at a McDonalds in a key swing voter area.
Trump, leaning out of the window and still wearing his McDonalds apron, was asked by reporters staged outside the fast food restaurant in Feasterville-Trevose, Pennsylvania if he would accept the election results regardless of the outcome.
The GOP nominee, who has constantly promoted falsehoods about his 2020 election loss, served up a dodge. Lets not talk about that, he said, before he later claimed he would, but included a qualifier: Yeah, sure, if it’s a fair election. I would always accept it. Its got to be a fair election.
Trump, 78, claimed he got behind the fryer at McDonalds on Sunday in a bid to undermine Democratic nominee Kamala Harris, who has repeatedly touted how she worked the fast food franchise during her college years, although her camp hasnt furnished any photos of her youthful job there.
Trump claims that Harris, 60, lied about working at McDonalds in attempt to improve her connections with working class Americans. Although he has not provided any evidence to support his claim, the former president did tell Fox News last week that he spoke to a longtime manager at the California store where Harris reportedly worked, alleging the manager said she never worked here.
Democrats, however, have slammed Trumps McDonalds visit to the store, which closed the restaurant to real customers, as a stunt that has no logic to it, adding that the former president appears to be not well.
Donald Trump (pictured at the drive-thru of the McDonalds in Feasterville-Trevose, Pennsylvania on Sunday) said he would respect the results of next months vote if its a fair election after he served bags of takeout to his supporters through drive-thru window at a McDonalds in a key swing voter area
An apparently excited Trump supporters smiles and praises the former president as he hands the takeout order to her
After serving bags of takeout to people in the drive-thru lane, Trump leaned out of the window, still wearing the apron, to take questions from the media staged outside.
He dodged most policy questions, including whether he backs an increase in the minimum wage, but did use the opportunity to take aim at his rival.
Ive now worked for 15 minutes more than Kamala, Trump said, revisiting his claim that his rival didnt work at McDonalds as a student as she says she did.
Asked by a reporter why Harris would lie about working at the restaurant, Trump replied, Because shes "lying Kamala," applying a moniker.
He also said he would always accept the results of a fair election before touting his successes in the polls.
Were leading in all the polls, were leading in every swing state, he said, adding: Were doing well. Trump also alleged that a RealClearPolitics poll claims he has a 93.2 per cent chance of winning. He added: I think thats pretty good.
The Republican candidate has fixated in recent weeks on the summer job Harris said she held in college, working the cash register and making fries at McDonalds while in college.
But his rivals supporters allege the McDonalds allegations and store visit is stunt is a distraction from addressing real issues.
Theres no logic to it, Democrat Rep. Barbara Lee (CA) told MSNBC host Alex Witt on Sunday. Its a stunt. He has not put forth an economic agenda. He, as you know, appears to be not well. And, hes engaged in some really bizarre types of activities during this campaign.
She added: This is just another one of those stunts that he will continue on through the campaign, and I think we really need to really focus on making sure that he is not elected of course.
The store owner posted a sign on his store, announcing the closure and writing that while we are not a political organization, we proudly open our doors to everyone. He said the visit gave the chance to shine a light on the positive impact of small businesses
Trump, leaning out of the window and still wearing his McDonalds apron, was asked by reporters staged outside the fast food restaurant in Feasterville-Trevose, Pennsylvania if he would accept the election results regardless of the outcome.
Harris spokesman Joseph Costello said the former presidents McDonalds visit howed exactly what we would see in a second Trump term: exploiting working people for his own personal gain.
Trump doesnt understand what its like to work for a living, no matter how many staged photo ops he does, and his entire second term plan is to give himself, his wealthy buddies, and giant corporations another massive tax cut, Costello said in a statement.
Ian Sams, another spokesman for the Vice President, told Reuters that the stunt was a sign of the real estate moguls desperation.
All he knows how to do is lie, he said. He cant understand what its like to have a summer job because he was handed millions on a silver platter, only to blow it.
Harris has said she worked the cash register, ice cream machine and fry machine at a California McDonalds while she was a student at Howard University. Her campaign has said she worked at an Alameda franchise in 1983.
Harris also referenced her time working there in her 2019 presidential campaign. Her camp hasnt furnished any photos of her youthful job there.
The franchise had placed an advertisement in a local high school yearbook that year, which featured photographs of student-workers, although Harris was not one of them.
A student featured in the photos told the BBC that he did not recall the now-Democratic nominee working alongside him over 40 years ago.
But one of Harris high school friends, Wanda Kagan, told the New York Times that she remembers the now-Vice President working at the fast food restaurant around that time.
Although neither Harris nor Trump have provided any evidence to support their claims about her alleged employment at McDonalds, Trump claims he asked the Alameda restaurant manager about her job there.
I know she didnt [work there], he told Fox News last Thursday. We checked it out. They said she never worked here. She even picked the store. We went to the manager. The manager’ been there forever.
Representatives for McDonalds did not respond to a message about whether the company had employment records for the Alameda restaurant from more than 40 years ago.
One man, apparently accompanied by his wife, told Trump you are the type of person we want to be the president, after thanking him for everything youre doing.
Another customer, who claimed to be originally from Brazil , shouted with excitement when she pulled up to the window, before telling Trump: Mr President, please don’t let the United States become Brazil! The GOP candidate vowed that were going to make it better than ever.
At the Feasterville-Trevose McDonalds on Sunday, Trump removed his suit jacket, put on a black and yellow apron and proceeded to cook batches of french fries, something he said he had wanted to do all my life.
Im looking for a job. And Ive always wanted to work at McDonalds but I never did, Trump said as he introduced himself to franchise owner Derek Giacomantonio. Im running against somebody that said she did, but it turned out to be a totally phony story.
So, if you dont mind, I want to work the French fry counter. How much are you paying me? the billionaire ex-president said with a laugh.
Trump then proceeded to dip wire baskets of potatoes in sizzling oil before salting them and handing them out to customers through the restaurants drive-through window. Thousands of people lined the street opposite the restaurant to watch.
Video captured from within the kitchen showed Trump passing out orders to a group of grateful prearranged customers - Trump supporters understood to have been pre-selected by his camp - who were were to see the ex-president serving their food and told him why theyll be supporting him in the election next month.
One man, apparently accompanied by his wife, told Trump, 78, you are the type of person we want to be the president, after thanking him for everything youre doing. His passenger added: Thank you for taking the bullet for us.
Another customer, who claimed to be originally from Brazil, shouted with enthusiasm when she pulled up to the window, before telling the GOP candidate: Mr President, please don’t let the United States become Brazil! Trump, in his reply, vowed that were going to make it better than ever.
Former President Donald Trump grins as he chats with employees at a suburban Philadelphia McDonalds on Sunday. Trump was taught how to make McDonalds trademark French fries, in a move designed to troll Vice President Kamala Harris
Supporters react with excitement as Donald Trump hands them an order at a drive-thru window during a campaign stop at a McDonalds in Feasterville-Trevose, Pennsylvania
Trump was all smiles as he worked the drive-through line during his visit to a McDonalds restaurant in Feasterville-Trevose, Pennsylvania on October 20, 2024
Trump greets a prearranged customer as he serves food at a McDonalds restaurant in Feasterville-Trevose, Pennsylvania on Sunday
Prior to Trumps arrival at the restaurant on Sunday, the first customer at the drive-thru was anything but random.
He identified himself to DailyMail.com only by his first name of Jim, and called himself a Trump supporter. He said he didnt believe Harris ever worked at the chain. I dont believe her at all, he said.
As for his own order for a packed SUV, I think were going to surprise with some chicken nuggets, he said.
A massive security presence guarded the fast-food stop. Secret Service agents and local law enforcement secured the exurban corridor, with snipers on a nearby roof.
The throngs of MAGA fans lining the streets outside the restaurant booed loudly when cars brandishing Harris-Walz flags occasionally drove buy.
Fans let out chants of Trump! Trump! Trump! in anticipation, even with little hope of catching a close-up glimpse of their favorite candidate.
The Trump campaign took extraordinary measures to control the event, letting in just a small pool of reporters with no representative from print or online media for the photo-op.
It was a sign of the high stakes of the symbolism the campaign is deploying in an effort to peel away Blue Wall states by prying away working class voters from the suburbs and exurbs.
Busy in the kitchen! Trump wore a McDonalds apron as he grabbed to-go orders
Trump waved to crowds through the service window during his shift at the eatery
One stunned McDonalds customer gasped as she was greeted by the 45th president
Trump was catering to a handful of prearranged customers who were supporters. He also said the meals were taken care of, which speeded processing.
Im having a lot of fun here, everybody, he declared.
Asked what hes getting paid, he quipped, Not enough – I want more money.
Its a good job, isnt it? Not bad. You have a nice owner? Trump asked an employee inside the restaurant.
Be careful, hes right there, the ex-president said with a laugh. Be careful. Eight years, thats the end of that.
With the boss looking on, the employee said that franchise owner, Giacomantonio, was great.
Asked about his own first summer job and entry-level positions, Trump told DailyMail.com through the drive-thru window: It requires expertise, Im going through the whole french fry stuff. Its a whole process.
I’ll never forget this experience, he said, without divulging anything about his time working for his fathers business.
Dozens of Trump fans came out in force to watch the former president get greasy
During his extended turn at the drive-thru window, Trump found himself in customer service mode, answering repeated questions from reporters. With security around the former president still high, there were no opportunities to interact with regular customers who might have popped in for a Big Mac or other menu item.
He even fielded a question from DailyMail.com about his latest chat with Benjamin Netanyahu, although he didnt reveal anything about plans a potential IDF attack on Iran.
Bibi called me this morning. And hes obviously got things going well. He likes to hear what I have to say, later clarifying that the call was Saturday.
Standing in his his blue apron with yellow straps, he wouldnt say if Netanyahu would hold off on attacking Iran. It would be very inappropriate. But theyre certainly in a better position, and fortunately they didnt listen to Biden and Harris, he said. They didnt want him to do this, he said.
Trump even had birthday greetings for Harris when prompted.
Its Kamalas birthday? Shes 60 years old. I would say Happy Birthday, Kamala. Shes turning 60. I think Ill get her some flowers. Maybe Ill get her some fries. Give her some McDonalds- Ill get her a McDonalds hamburger. Happy Birthday Kamala! Trump said – pronouncing her name correctly.
The GOP nominee got stuck in with the fry machine
Asked about his own first summer job and entry-level positions, Trump told DailyMail.com through the drive-thru window: It requires expertise, Im going through the whole french fry stuff. Its a whole process
Fries with that? Trump ended up fielding reporters questions from the drive-thru window
Roaring fans lined the street outside the McDonalds
Trump even offered a few bags of fries to members of the press
He called some questions not appropriate to answer during his stint at the restaurant, but ended up speaking about whether hed accept the results and Israel
Trumps supporters got wind of the event and lined the street north of the Pennsylvania Turnpike long before Trump was set to appear. Tractor trailer trucks sounded their horns when they drove by hundreds of supporters who cheered and raised Trump flags.
Giacomantonio posted a sign on his store, announcing the closure and writing that while we are not a political organization, we proudly open our doors to everyone. He said the visit gave the chance to shine a light on the positive impact of small businesses.
The Trump camp carefully shielded McDonalds employees when they were outside the restaurant, and asked a photographer to delete images of them for security purposes.
The Republican nominee is spending the entire day campaigning in Pennsylvania, most likely a must-win state for him or Harris.
Were going to the Pittsburgh game tonight. Pittsburgh Steelers. Should be good, said Trump at McDonalds
The eastern part of the state roots for the Philadelphia Eagles, but there isnt a strong rivalry between the teams.
Asked his favorite menu item, Trump - known for his love of fast food - responded: I like it all ... I like every ounce of it, everything. But I do like the French fries, where Ill be working.
Former President Donald Trump chose a McDonalds in Bucks County, a battleground area of Pennsylvania, for his turn at the fryer
Former President Donald Trump makes French fries at a McDonalds in suburban Philadelphia in a move to troll his opponent, Vice President Kamala Harris. Trump insists Harris made up that she worked at a McDonalds as a student in California
Workers smiled as they posed with Trump at the McDonalds restaurant
Trump had been teasing the visit for weeks as a way to turn up the heat on his rival, as he did again at a rally in Latrobe near Pittsburgh Saturday night, when he once again accused his rival of faking her own claim to have worked there as a student.
Trump claimed she lied about working at McDonalds, then added: Thats like not a big thing, but can I be honest with you, its terrible, he said at an event where he spoke about the size of golf legend Arnold Palmers manhood.
Im going to McDonalds to work the french fry, Trump said. I think Im doing it tomorrow, and I think its in a place in Pennsylvania, and Im going to stand over that french fry.
Trumps team has also been raising doubts about Harriss resume.
His senior advisor Jason Miller said Trump was doing the visit so that one candidate in this race can actually have worked at McDonalds.
Since Kamala Harris has not, President Trump by the end of tomorrow will have worked at McDonalds. Hell have done fries more than Kamala Harris ever has, he said. I think it shows he connects with hard-working Americans.
Trumps own jobs early in life were working for his fathers real estate company at construction sites and offices, which he did along with brothers Fred Jr. and Robert, according to the Miller Center at the University of Virginia.
It is just the latest effort by Trump to undermine Harris. In Atlanta last month and again during a podcast interview days ago, Trump raised questions about her racial identity (Harriss father is from Jamaica and her mother was of Indian descent).
Trump supporters waited for hours for his McDonalds visit
Armed agents lined a nearby roof
Trump has good reason to be hitting Bucks county, located north of the city of Philadelphia.
It is a populous purple county whose votes are up for grabs.
Hillary Clinton narrowly edged Trump there in 2016, beating him 48.4 to 47.6 percent.
Joe Biden widened the margin in 2020, garnering 52 percent of the vote.
Trump carried the state with its 19 electoral votes in 2016, but Biden snatched it from him in 2020, winning by just 1 percent of the vote.
Harris highlighted her time at mickey Ds during the Democratic convention.
She spoke about it again last week as Trump was accusing her of faking it.
Part of the reason I even talk about having worked at McDonalds is because there are people who work at McDonalds in our country who are trying to raise a family and pay rent on that, she told MSNBC.
And I think part of the difference between me and my opponent includes our perspective on the needs of the American people, and what our responsibility then is to meet those needs.
But it was not a small job, like, I did the fries. I mean, you know, I did, she said.
Kamala Harris said she worked the fries while using a job at McDonalds to support her studies
Then-President Donald Trump speaks behind a table full of McDonalds hamburgers, Chick fil-a sandwiches and other fast food as he welcomes the 2018 Football Division I FCS champs North Dakota State Bison in the Diplomatic Room of the White House on March 4, 2019 in Washington, DC COVID protocols impacted kitchens at the time
Donald Trump eating McDonalds on his plane. It appears he ordered a Big Mac, a large french fries and a Diet Coke
Trump has been building up the McDonalds appearance since a rally in Reno October 10.
Do you know what I am doing next week? I am going to a McDonalds to work! he told the crowd.
He mentioned it again in Arizona, saying he would work the fryer so I can see how hard her job that never turned out would be.
Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro spoke to the closeness of the race on NBCs Meet the Press Sunday.
Well, I think if past is prologue, were set for another close race here in Pennsylvania. Let me explain: 2016, the race was decided by 44,000 votes. Donald Trump won here in Pennsylvania. In 2020, the race was settled by 80,000 votes. Joe Biden won. In both instances, it came down to a point or less. So the fact that you have polls showing that its, you know, a jump ball, a statistical dead heat, maybe Kamala Harris is up a point or so – that is not a shock, he said.