Former President’s attempt to demonstrate fast-food skills backfires as he ignores hygiene protocols during photo op

Donald Trump’s latest venture into fast food has drawn sharp criticism from McDonald’s employees after he worked the fry cooker at a Pennsylvania branch, neglecting essential health and safety standards. The former president’s antics, which appear to be an attempt to mock Vice President Kamala Harris over her previous employment at a McDonald’s, took a bizarre turn when he was seen working without gloves or a hairnet, raising eyebrows among those familiar with the chain’s hygiene protocols.

Over the weekend, Trump made headlines for his stint at a McDonald’s in Feasterville-Trevose, Pennsylvania, where he temporarily took over the fryer and served food through the drive-thru window. This visit, however, has been labelled as an “insulting cosplay” by workers who felt his actions trivialised their hard work.

Critics quickly pointed out that Trump was not adhering to basic safety precautions, particularly at a location previously cited for health code violations. Earlier this year, the Bucks County Health Department conducted an inspection of the Feasterville-Trevose McDonald’s, uncovering multiple infractions, including a lack of proper handwashing practices among employees and failure to wear necessary hair restraints.

The health inspection report was alarming. It detailed instances where employees failed to wash their hands appropriately after handling soiled tableware, raw meat, and before coming into contact with clean utensils. The inspector also noted that workers were not wearing hair restraints, such as hats or nets, which are crucial for maintaining hygiene in food preparation areas.

In stark contrast to the required standards, Trump was photographed in a white button-down shirt and a ketchup-coloured tie, topped with a blue apron featuring yellow stripes. However, he notably lacked gloves and a hairnet, a clear oversight that did not go unnoticed by the public and the employees at the chain.

Responses from McDonald’s workers on Reddit highlighted the disconnect between Trump’s performance and the company’s operational standards. User DodgyRogue questioned, “Where’s his approved uniform shirt? His hat?” Another user, Adinnieken, pointed out the lack of non-slip shoes, a staple of McDonald’s safety protocol. Rofflewafflelol encapsulated the sentiment, stating, “Great, so he passed out bags of food for 5 minutes for a photo op… now let’s see him actually take on the responsibility of a full shift every day for a few years. This is cosplay and insulting to people who have actually worked any amount of time in their lives.”

Trump’s foray into the fast-food realm appears to be more about generating headlines than a genuine attempt to understand the daily grind of workers in the industry. While the former president has repeatedly questioned Harris’ experience at McDonald’s, his own brief and unregulated venture into the fast-food world seems to have backfired spectacularly.

As discussions continue online, many are left wondering whether Trump’s actions reflect a serious misunderstanding of the fast-food industry or if they are merely a publicity stunt designed to bolster his political narrative. The Independent has reached out to the Bucks County Health Department and McDonald’s representatives for comments on this incident, seeking clarity on the implications of Trump’s actions amid existing health concerns at the location.