By Matt Underwood Trump’s recent attempt to troll Kamala Harris by serving French fries at a Pennsylvania McDonald’s left me both bemused and bewildered. The spectacle unfolded like a poorly scripted reality TV show, complete with staged scenes and an array of overly enthusiastic supporters. It felt less like an attempt to make a clever political statement and more like a caricature of his presidency, all baked into an image of a former president playing pretend in the realm of fast food.
The very act of serving fries in a closed McDonald’s, which was clearly a setup for a photo op, raises more questions than it answers. People might wonder who he thought he was impressing with this stunt. The notion that he was somehow diminishing Harris’s past experience working in a fast-food restaurant is both ironic and absurd. After all, how can someone genuinely claim to connect with ordinary working-class citizens when they stage such contrived events? It’s as if he’s trying to play both sides, pretending to be the man of the people while simultaneously relying on the theatrics that serve only his ego.
Serving fries at a closed drive-thru isn’t exactly the heroic theatrics one would expect from someone who once held the office of President. It’s almost laughable, really. I can’t help but envision the grinning visage of Trump manipulating his followers into thinking that this kind of shallow publicity stunts somehow validates his political prowess. It’s taken straight from the playbook of a clownish character, seeking laughs rather than substantive dialogue about issues that truly matter. The absurdity of it resonates deeply—his supporters might eat it up, but the rest of us can see the strings being pulled behind this carefully choreographed performance.
It’s almost tragicomic to think that he believes this kind of trolling will yield any meaningful impact. Harris, who has actual experience working in her youth, doesn’t lose credibility by virtue of Trump’s antics. If anything, he just inadvertently elevated her credentials by juxtaposition. This attempt to smirk at her history fell flat; instead of land a blow, he merely highlighted his desperation for relevance—and the irony of a privileged man trying to relate to the working class through an act that comes off as mere cosplay.
As I reflect on the implications of this act, I find myself questioning how much weight we should give it in the grand narrative of American politics. Trump might think he can still command attention through these theatrical displays, but to many, it’s evident that he’s simply wandering through a landscape of his own making, devoid of deep understanding or genuine engagement. This miscommunication signals a fundamental disconnect between who he is and who he wants to appear to be.
His ineptitude stands stark against the background of authentic public service. When he stumbles through the motions of serving fries, one can’t help but laugh at the obvious absurdity of the situation—the grandiosity of his expectation versus the triviality of his act. For real engagement with the electorate, one would hope for authenticity, meaningful discussions, and initiatives that resonate with people’s real concerns, rather than this empty display of farce.
All the while, I chuckle at the idea that he thought he was doing something clever to undermine Harris. In his attempt at trolling, he inadvertently showcased his shortcomings as a leader and a public figure. As we meander through this bizarre chapter of American politics, perhaps the truth remains that genuine connection with the electorate doesn’t involve staged publicity stunts and fast-food fryers. Rather, it demands sincerity, substance, and a grasp of the complexities of the lives of everyday Americans.