McDonald's stresses electoral neutrality after Trump's gig: We are golden

McDonald’s has made it clear it’s not getting involved in politics after former President Donald Trump’s visit to one of its Pennsylvania restaurants stirred up some buzz. The fast-food giant, in an internal memo, said it stays neutral, no matter who’s running for the office, as per a report by Bloomberg.

"McDonald’s does not endorse candidates for elected office, and that remains true in this race for the next President," the company said in a message shared with employees. "We’re not red or blue — we’re golden."

This memo followed Trump’s visit to one of McDonald’s outlets, where he cooked fries and served customers at the drive-thru, all while his campaign promoted the stop as a way to connect with voters.

The event took place in Feasterville, a key area in swing state Pennsylvania. The McDonald’s location was closed to the public during Trump’s visit, sparking chatter online. Some people shared images of the empty restaurant and accused the event of being staged for the cameras. Others defended the closure, saying it was necessary for security reasons.

McDonald’s explained that the visit was requested by Trump’s team and handled by local franchise owner Derek Giacomantonio.

“Upon learning of the former President’s request, we approached it through the lens of one of our core values: we open are doors to everyone,” McDonald’s said.

Trump’s visit also added fuel to his ongoing spat with Democratic candidate Kamala Harris. Harris has talked about her days working at a McDonald’s during college, but Trump has questioned her story without offering proof. McDonald’s said it has no records from the 1980s to verify Harris’ employment.

While Trump flipped burgers and joked with reporters at the drive-thru, McDonald’s stuck to its stance of political neutrality, focusing on its core business and avoiding the election drama.

Despite the online debates, the fast-food chain’s message seems to be clear: The fast-food giants are here just for the fries, not the politics.