McDonald’s agreed to Trump event, but says it is not endorsing presidential candidate

McDonald’s agreed to host former President Donald Trump at a Pennsylvania store over the weekend, but said it is not endorsing a candidate in the U.S. presidential race.

Trump worked at a McDonald’s fry station in suburban Philadelphia on Sunday, before answering questions through the drive-thru window. The restaurant was closed to the public for the Republican candidate’s visit.

In a message to employees obtained Monday by The Associated Press, McDonald’s said the location’s owner-operator, Derek Giacomantonio, reached out after learning of Trump’s desire to visit a restaurant in Pennsylvania. McDonald’s agreed to the event.

“Upon learning of the former president’s request, we approached the matter through the lens of one of our core values: we open doors to everyone,” the company said. “McDonald’s does not support candidates for elected office and that continues to be true in this race for the next president. We are not red or blue – we are gold.”

The Chicago burger giant said franchisees have also invited Vice President Kamala Harris, the Democratic nominee, and her running mate, Gov. Tim Walz, to their restaurants. The Associated Press left a message seeking comment on Harris’ campaign.

McDonald’s said it “has been a topic of conversation this election cycle,” though it hasn’t sought that attention. At several campaign stops and during interviews, Harris recalled working at McDonald’s for spending money during her college years. Trump has claimed – without evidence – that Harris is lying.

McDonald’s avoided this issue in its message to employees. The company said it was proud of the “fond memories of Harris working under the arches” and highlighted the oft-cited figure that 1 in 8 Americans works at McDonald’s at some point.

“While we and our franchisees do not have records of every position dating back to the early 1980s, what makes ‘1 in 8’ so powerful is the shared experience that so many Americans have had,” McDonald’s said.

Trump’s appearance generated some reaction on social media. Google searches for “boycott McDonald’s” briefly spiked Monday morning, and some Twitter users vowed not to return to the network after Trump’s event.

But Lori Rosen, president of public relations firm Rosen Group, said McDonald’s is unlikely to suffer long-term harm from the event.

“The coverage and publicity generated by McDonald’s agreement to have former President Trump work at one of its franchises already outweighs the negative chatter on social media,” Rosen said. “I’m not sure the American people will benefit from this publicity stunt. However, McDonald’s comes out ahead.”

Bruce Newman, professor of business ethics and marketing at DePaul University’s Driehaus College of Business, agrees.

“They look like the company that is getting the attention of presidential candidates and that increases brand recognition,” he said.

Newman added that Trump was likely trying to put a different, more casual face on his campaign, wearing a smile and an apron instead of a suit jacket.