Vance Blasts Media's 'Stage-Managed' Criticism of Trump’s McDonald’s Appearance

Sen. JD Vance (R-OH) fiercely defended former President Donald Trump after the media dismissed Trump’s visit to a McDonald’s in Pennsylvania as a “stage-managed campaign stop.” Vance's response came after The Washington Post accused Trump of orchestrating the event purely for political optics, ignoring the real significance behind his interaction with everyday Americans.

Vance, Trump’s 2024 running mate, hit back during an interview with Fox News, pointing out the absurdity of the criticism. “The fact that these people are accusing him of a ‘stage-managed’ thing of course, the president has to have security because there have been two attempts on his life in the last eight weeks,” Vance said. “He can’t just walk into a McDonald’s and sign a W-9 and actually go on the payroll.”

Trump’s McDonald’s stop, which took place in Feasterville, Bucks County, saw him donning an apron, working the fryer, and handing out food at the drive-thru window. The visit wasn’t just about serving food it was about connecting with real people. “He showed I think genuine interest in the employees and their lives,” Vance remarked. “That is just a genuine person that Donald Trump is.”

Vance stressed the key takeaway Trump’s ability to relate to working-class Americans is authentic and natural, and it’s why he has such a strong emotional connection with them. "Even though, of course, he’s a successful real estate billionaire," Vance said, "you can’t make up that kind of connection."

The visit wasn’t just about burgers, though. Trump also took the opportunity to throw jabs at Vice President Kamala Harris, who recently claimed she had worked at McDonald’s during college in the 1980s. Questions have surfaced about the validity of Harris’ statement, given the lack of documentation or prior mention until 2019 when she ran for president. “It’s weird that Harris has been able to produce no evidence that she worked at McDonald’s,” Vance said. “I don’t know what’s ultimately true here, but it’s interesting where the media will try to nitpick everything me or Donald Trump has said and yet just buy into this narrative from Harris.”

Vance’s fiery defense underscores a growing frustration among Republicans over the media’s clear double standard when it comes to Trump and the Democratic elite. Trump’s ability to engage with regular Americans, whether at a McDonald’s or on the campaign trail, remains a threat to the establishment’s grip on power.

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