Donald Trump will stop indeed at a McDonald’s in Pennsylvania, but with a twist on his 2024 presidential campaign: he’s going to flip some fries for a little while. That is to say, this visit is symbolic, playing various purposes: demonstrating that Donald Trump can really connect with the voters, countering claims made by Kamala Harris on her own former stint working at McDonald’s, and finally, emphasizing the significance of Pennsylvania among swing states in the election.
Lowballing the Path to the “Golden Arches”
Trump has not been bashful about his love for McDonald’s, whether ordering for his team after public appearances or jubilating over fast food after court appearances. The move to involve McDonald’s workers in his campaign brings a personal touch that’s intended to resonate with middle-class voters-perhaps coming across as someone who might be relatable despite his billionaire background. This also focuses on Harris’ story who have used her experience at McDonald’s to reflect on her middle-class background, putting into perspective her experience versus Trump’s privileged childhood. Trump’s maneuver positions him as an opponent to the perception portrayed, reframing their experience at the fast-food as the manifestation of hard work.
Significance of Pennsylvania.
The Keystone State will be critical in Trump’s election plans, and where, in 2016, he took Pennsylvania by 44,000 votes, in 2020, he lost the state by nearly 80,000 votes. He will need to woo back some of the state’s working-class voters; visit to McDonald’s and appearance at a Sunday football game give him ample exposure all across the state.
Trump’s unorthodox campaign strategies—you might say symbolic or tongue in cheek—are designed to command headlines and help define his story. This stop at McDonald’s was not about fries alone; it was about locking up voter perceptions in the lead-up to an election that will be fought by Obama with every ounce of might he has.
