President Donald Trump’s statement to work at McDonald’s has sent the media into a frenzy as part of his campaign rally in Pennsylvania. Is it really that easy?. Trump said, “I’m going to the McDonald’s and I’m going to be working the French fry job for about half an hour – I want to see how it is.” In this statement, while he was criticizing Vice President Kamala Harris, he showed his populism and use of humor.
It was more than just a jab at Harris. It’s part of a larger effort by Trump to reach working-class voters, especially presenting himself in a way that makes him seem to understand or relate to jobs at lower income levels. His approach has been to insult elites and portray himself as an outsider, while he himself is well-off. Leveraging the brand power of McDonald’s, he taps into nostalgia and familiarity with a brand synonymous with American life, further reinforcing his appeal to everyday Americans.
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Of course, his documented preference for junk food, especially McDonald’s, strengthens the anecdote. His declaration that he will “work the fry job” for half an hour is an attitudinal posture, implying that he will relate to the suffering worker at large as opposed to the politicos.
As a political strategy, Trump’s comment marks one occasion when reaching out to blue-collar workers is of critical importance in securing votes in pivotal battleground states. Criticizing Harris immediately places him as someone willing to put himself in the shoes of everyday Americans, a populist appeal that defined his political career.
This rhetorical tactic may be part of a wider 2024 election strategy by Trump, which would bolster his grip on middle America and the working-class electorate, crucial to his return to the White House.
