United Auto Workers (UAW) President Shawn Fain criticized former President Donald Trump’s recent visit to a McDonald’s in Pennsylvania, calling it a “joke” and accusing Trump of playing “dress-up” to appear in touch with working-class Americans. Fain made his remarks during an interview on CNN, where he expressed his belief that Trump’s appearance was nothing more than a publicity stunt.
Trump’s visit took place at a suburban Philadelphia McDonald’s on Sunday, where he briefly worked at the fry station and took questions from customers through the drive-thru window. However, the restaurant was closed to the public during the event, and those interacting with Trump were reportedly franchisees and campaign supporters.
Fain was unimpressed by the spectacle, telling CNN’s Kaitlan Collins, “I think it’s a joke, and I think most voters see it that way.” He added, “Donald Trump wants to play pretend and put on a show, acting like he understands what working-class people go through, what fast food workers go through.”
Fain emphasized that the staged event didn’t reflect the reality of fast food workers’ lives. “This is not the life of a McDonald’s worker,” he said, highlighting the grueling pace at which employees work to keep lines moving and the company profitable, all while earning “poverty wages.”
To Fain, Trump’s visit was not only out of touch but insulting to those who genuinely struggle to make ends meet. “It’s a slam and it’s an insult to people that have to do that work every day, trying to pay the bills at the end of the week,” Fain remarked. “Trump doesn’t understand that. So I think that the whole charade was a joke.”
Fain also contrasted Trump with Vice President Kamala Harris, suggesting she has a better understanding of the challenges faced by working Americans. “Really to me, that’s one of the distinct differences between these two candidates,” Fain said, implying that Harris has a more authentic connection with the working class.
For Fain, Trump’s McDonald’s visit was a hollow gesture, far removed from the real struggles of everyday workers. He concluded by reaffirming his view that voters would see through Trump’s performance, recognizing it as mere theatrics.