Over the weekend, McDonald’s Corp. hosted former President Donald Trump at one of its locations in Pennsylvania, although the company emphasized that this does not represent an endorsement of any candidate in the U.S. presidential race.
On Sunday, Trump donned an apron to work at the fry station of a McDonald’s in suburban Philadelphia, where he also engaged with customers through the drive-thru window. The restaurant was closed to regular patrons for the event, which was linked to his campaign for the Republican nomination.
According to a message sent to employees, the restaurant’s owner-operator, Derek Giacomantonio, contacted McDonald’s after hearing of Trump’s interest in visiting a Pennsylvania store. McDonald’s then agreed to facilitate the visit.
“We approached the former president’s request with our core value of inclusivity in mind: we open our doors to everyone,” McDonald’s communicated. “While we are aware of the political landscape, McDonald’s remains neutral, meaning we do not endorse candidates for elected office. We are neither red nor blue; we are golden.”
In a gesture of political balance, McDonald’s revealed that franchisees have also extended invitations to Democratic nominee Vice President Kamala Harris and her running mate, Governor Tim Walz, to visit their establishments. The Harris campaign was reached for comment by The Associated Press but did not respond immediately.
Though McDonald’s has not sought publicity from this election cycle, it has found itself at the center of discussion. Harris has frequently shared her experience of working at McDonald’s during her college years, which Trump has disputed without evidence. McDonald’s, however, expressed pride in her story, noting that one in eight Americans has worked for the iconic brand at some point.
The company acknowledged its lack of historical employment records dating back to the early 1980s but highlighted the significance of the shared experiences that resonate with many Americans, stating, “What makes ‘1 in 8’ so meaningful is the shared experience so many Americans have had.”
Trump’s visit stirred a strong reaction on social media, with a temporary spike in Google searches for “boycott McDonald’s.” Some Twitter users declared their intention to avoid the chain following the event.
Chris Hydock, a marketing professor at Tulane University’s Freeman School of Business, suggested that allowing Trump’s visit could be a risky strategy for McDonald’s. He pointed out that brands often face backlash when associated with divisive political figures, as those opposed to such figures may react more negatively than those in favor of them. In the context of a large brand like McDonald’s, which is already widely recognized, he noted, “Trump working at McDonald’s can’t attract more customers; it could just alienate some.”
Conversely, Lori Rosen, president of the public relations firm Rosen Group, contended that McDonald’s is unlikely to suffer any long-term harm from this event. “The attention and publicity generated from McDonald’s agreeing to host former President Trump exceeds the negative feedback on social media,” Rosen stated. “While it’s debatable whether the American public will gain from this publicity stunt, McDonald’s ultimately benefits.”
Business ethics and marketing expert Bruce Newman from DePaul University agreed with Rosen’s assessment. “The company is seen as attracting the attention of presidential candidates, which enhances brand visibility,” he commented. He added that Trump’s approach during the visit may have aimed at projecting a more approachable image, favoring a friendly demeanor over a formal presentation.
