Guest Editorial by Paul Leslie |
We like burgers. So does the rest of the world. Got it? —Gene Simmons
Most people would never work at McDonald’s if they had made billions of dollars and were arguably the most famous person on the planet. Oh, and lest I forget, served as President of the United States.
But most people aren’t President Donald J. Trump.
I watched and read all of the entertaining coverage about President Trump’s brief stint handling the fry station and drive-thru at a McDonald’s in Bucks County, Pennsylvania. Some headlines were playful and had a little fun with the story. Others with the legacy media reeked of bitter desperation.
Rush Limbaugh called the legacy media the “drive by media” and it’s a good description. I’ve often found that you can tell how good or effective one of Trump’s ideas or undertakings are based on how much of a meltdown “the drive bys” have.
Using that same litmus, I’d say Trump’s McDonald’s shift on Sunday was a grand slam. I don’t know if I got more enjoyment seeing the video coverage or listening to MSNBC’s hating on it. Bitter? You bet, but what’s new?
There’s a lot to learn from Trump’s latest media mission. As I told CNN this spring, “there’s never been a more impressive public relations genius than Donald Trump.” I find the media fascinating, and happen to think that the 45th President can teach us a lot about how to make things happen with the press.
So, is there more to the story of Trump’s time at McDonald’s?
Mickey D’s? Donald Trump?
The first thing to understand is why President Trump wanted to work at McDonald’s.
As you may have noticed — the man loves McDonald’s. He’s crowed about knowing the menu inside and out.
What are his favorites? He’s been said to enjoy the Filet o’ Fish, Big Macs, and for dessert, the chocolate shake.
What’s more, Trump even said, “I’ve always wanted to work at McDonald’s.”
We all have our dreams. Even those that other people don’t understand.
Kamala Harris said she worked the fry station
Vice President Kamala Harris claimed that she worked at McDonald’s. Perhaps in an effort to appear like part of the common folk? She says she worked at a McDonald’s in Alameda, California in the summer of 1983 while a student at Howard University.
Did she really?
Well, that’s a good question.
Trump says Harris never donned a McDonald’s uniform
Donald Trump doesn’t think so.
Trump said there was more bologna than golden arches in the Democrat Party presidential candidate’s work history. It started with Trump insisting that she didn’t work there, and in fact, his campaign did some digging and released a statement claiming that she never worked there.
The New York Times defended Harris, stating that Trump had no evidence that she didn’t. Think about that.
What piece of evidence would The New York Times have in mind that would fit the bill? A signed letter from the CEO of McDonald’s saying Harris never worked there?
I can tell you what The New York Times considers as proof that Harris worked there — that her campaign said she did, and “a friend” emailed to say she did.
I know. It’s overwhelming.
Bestselling author Chadwick Moore expressed his doubts on X, citing what he called the pretension of Vice President Harris’s father:
“You knew this was a lie the first time she said it because there isn’t a college professor alive who would allow their daughter to work at a McDonald’s. These are the most insecure, status-conscious people alive. If they can’t brag about it to colleagues, it’s not happening.”
To add to Moore’s point, her father is also a committed and confirmed Marxist scholar. And let’s get real — commie professors probably don’t want their children working at McDonald’s, a company that is an international symbol of capitalism. Just ask Marxist professor and author Richard D. Wolff.
Rather than simply ragging on her about it, Trump decided to take things to the next level. He would put in a little time at McDonald’s and also indulge in some expert-level taunting.
‘Trump wins the day‘
Many in the media took pleasure in pointing out that Trump didn’t really work at McDonald’s, what with him not being an employee in the same way that the guy who works the night shifts Wednesday to Sunday. You’re kidding me!
Talk about losing the plot.
And some pundits smugly pointed out that the Secret Service made sure that not just anyone would be able to approach the President, and that rendered the whole deal nugatory.
These people just make things worse for themselves.
Enter Coffee with Scott Adams podcast host Scott Adams. “Well, of course they’re vetted,” Adams remarked about the drive-thru customers on his October 21 episode.
The cartoonist and news commentator went on, “but he did it perfectly,” discussing Trump’s ability to interact with everyday people and create a compelling media event. “I think he won the day,” Adams said.
Trump understands far more than the Harris campaign
Here’s the thing — Trump did win the day. Not only did Trump’s time at McDonald’s garner him the number one TikTok video of the day, but it also generated countless headlines and social media buzz and discussion on radio, television and podcasts around the world.
Even when the haters nitpicked, it still resulted in the video footage being shown. It’s hard to deny that Trump didn’t seem to be in his element, and yes; having fun.
The Trump and Harris campaigns are worlds apart. For as much as they tried to drill the word joy into everyone’s head, it never seemed like Harris and her running mate Tim Walz ever seemed particularly comfortable or natural.
Communicating has never been her strong suit, and so many of her personal appearances and media stunts were more likely to provoke cringing than any enjoyment or food for thought.
Trump’s golden shift was a win in many ways
As far as media opportunities, Trump’s time at Mickey D’s was smart for many reasons.
McDonald’s is a shared experience for all Americans, and for people around the world. The first birthday party I can recall as a youngster was McDonald’s. It’s always fascinated me how many people have told the same tale. Everyone has a McDonald’s association. For Trump, his relationship with the restaurant chain is genuine, not a fabrication.
How’s this: Emma Lee of Georgia at the tender age of ten chimed in when her mother was listening to coverage about the McMAGA occurrence. She liked Trump working at McDonald’s, adding that they have the best fries. Now she wants to work there. This was a more potent idea than many realize.
Kamala could never
Around 4.8 million Americans work in fast food, and many more did the job before doing something else — me included. Although Trump didn’t work a full shift, you wouldn’t have much hope that Kamala Harris would have been able to do what Trump did.
To repeat an oft-repeated phrase these days: “Kamala could never.”
In spite of his billionaire status, Trump comes across as relatable. The legacy media may hate it, but even with Trump’s great wealth, he’s much more approachable than Kamala Harris.
While Trump builds rapport with everyday Americans and even combative interviewers, Kamala Harris flounders and serves up word salads even in the kindest of media settings. And when the situation is a bit more challenging, like her recent interview with Bret Baier — forget it.
The Harris camp and the legacy media are only kidding themselves. Trump won this round, and many of them would probably admit it quietly.
And, I can’t help, but think that this stunt was like giving McDonald’s millions of dollars in free advertising. I would bet that it inspired more than a few Big Mac attacks over the past couple of days.
He who has the most fun wins. I wonder who that might be?
I think Trump and his team probably had a good time on this one, and triggering the libs is always worth it.
I’m lovin’ it.
Photo: Adobe Stock
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