Trump’s Focus on Economic Policies
During a recent gathering of McDonald’s restaurant owners, operators, and suppliers, President Trump emphasized his administration’s achievements in reducing prices. He reminisced about a notable moment from his 2024 campaign while addressing attendees at the McDonald’s Impact Summit held in downtown Washington.
The president recounted his experience working the drive-through window at a McDonald’s location during a campaign stop in Bucks County, Pennsylvania. “After I did the french fries and did some other things, I then stood at the window, and the people would drive up a little bored, in all fairness. I mean, they’re waiting for a hamburger. Okay?” he shared.
He described how customers reacted with surprise when they saw him there: “So they drive up… They look over, ‘Whoa,’ was every one of them. And it was fascinating. Every one of them. The response was incredible; almost like I knew I was going to win when I saw that.”
Trump and his team aim to showcase the measures taken to assist small businesses and job creators as next year’s midterm elections approach. The White House has introduced various economic strategies aimed at lowering everyday expenses since Trump’s return to office.
The proposed plans include $2,000 rebate checks for Americans, reduced tariffs on food products such as beef and coffee, and portable mortgages that allow homeowners to transfer their loans when moving.
He mentioned that Google co-founder Sergey Brin and CEO Sundar Pichai informed him that shortly after the video of Trump at McDonald’s went online, it garnered more views than any other content in Google’s history—a record still unbroken.
Reflecting on past engagements with fast-food chains, Trump stated: “In the old days, McDonald’s and many others would call me to do this kind of thing… And as president, I’m doing this damn thing for nothing; it’s an honor to do it.” He also praised McDonald’s efforts to reduce menu prices while criticizing the Biden administration for rising food costs.
The former president noted improvements in energy costs and inflation rates since he resumed office: “In the past six months, the price of breakfast items has fallen 14%. Bread prices are down. Dairy prices are down,” he asserted.
Fast-food giants like McDonald’s have historically offered value menus since 1989 to cater to consumers looking for affordable options. Recently, CEO Christopher J. Kempczinski announced a renewed focus on value offerings globally by adjusting menu prices.
A recent LendingTree survey revealed that nearly 80% of Americans believe fast food has become a luxury item and are dining out less frequently.
To alleviate financial strain on customers, McDonald’s announced last September that select items would be added back to their Extra Value menu temporarily starting November 4th.
