President Trump Takes His Bad Food Habits to a New Level: DoorDashing McDonald’s to the White House
Yes, it was another photo op.
President Donald Trump brought a familiar sight into the Oval Office on April 13, 2026: a delivery from McDonald’s. This wasn’t just a casual lunch order, though. It was a deliberate move to shine a spotlight on his “no tax on tips” law, a provision he’s been championing on the campaign trail.
According to The Hill, the scene unfolded with delivery person Sharon Simmons who sported a ‘DoorDash Grandma’ shirt, arriving with two bags of the President’s longtime fast-food favorite. Trump made it clear why this moment was happening, directly addressing Simmons in a video shared by the White House.
He noted, “The reason for this is the fact that I heard you picked up an extra $11,000… because the tax bill was so big, the refund was the biggest you’ve ever had.” He then added a flourish, suggesting, “We should call it the ‘great big beautiful tax cut bill,’ because it’s tremendous amounts of money.”
This event wasn’t just about a quick meal; it underscored a significant piece of legislation
Republicans folded the “no tax on tips” provision into their massive tax and spending law, which Trump signed last summer. This particular measure is designed to impact federal income taxes for countless individuals working in jobs that traditionally rely on tips. Think bartenders, servers, golf caddies, and, of course, delivery drivers.
Starting in 2025 and running through 2028, these workers will be able to deduct certain amounts of “qualified tips” from their yearly income. It’s a policy aimed at putting more money directly into the pockets of hardworking people.
Speaking of pockets, Trump’s fondness for McDonald’s is no secret. His eating habits have often been a topic of discussion, with US Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. describing his diet as “very unhealthy.” RFK Jr. said the President’s meals are largely made up of fast food, sweets, and Diet Coke. He specifically mentioned Trump’s frequent consumption of McDonald’s meals, along with candy and large amounts of Diet Coke, particularly when he’s traveling.
While the President tends to eat more healthily when he’s at the White House or his Mar-a-Lago residence, his diet reportedly takes a significant downturn during trips. According to Anadolu Agency, Kennedy Jr. has even joked about Trump’s constant Diet Coke consumption, saying that traveling with him gives the impression he is “pumping himself full of poison all day long.”
Despite these dietary choices, Kennedy Jr. has also expressed amazement at President Trump’s resilience, joking that he has “the constitution of a deity.” He once remarked, “You don’t know how he’s walking around, much less being the most energetic person, you know, any of us have ever met.” This remarkable overall health, despite his penchant for fast food, continues to be a point of curiosity.
Trump kept trying to get Simmons to speak about other political issues
After receiving his order, Trump proceeded to field questions on a wide array of topics. The discussions ranged from the ongoing Iran war to an AI-generated image he had recently shared of himself. All the while, Simmons stood right beside him. A reporter asked her if the White House included good tippers. Trump seemed to pull cash directly from his pocket to hand it to her, and Simmons confirmed, “Yes, very.” Trump then directly posed a question to Simmons.
He asked her, “Do you think that men should play in women’s sports?” Simmons, however, kept her focus firmly on the reason for her visit, responding, “I really don’t have an opinion on that. No, no, I’m here about no tax on tips.” Later, during an answer about the Strait of Hormuz, where U.S. Central Command plans to blockade Iranian ports, he again turned to Simmons, remarking, “The amazing things is, we don’t — can you believe this? — we don’t use the strait.”
After the lively exchange with reporters, Simmons appeared to head into the Oval Office as Trump departed the gaggle. The event clearly served its purpose in highlighting the impact of the “no tax on tips” policy.
Max Rettig, DoorDash’s global head of public policy, affirmed this sentiment in a statement, saying, “With No Tax on Tips, Dashers across the U.S. saved hundreds of millions of dollars last year. DoorDash is proud to advocate on behalf of Dashers like Sharon and push for policies like No Tax on Tips because they deliver real impact to so many hardworking people and their families.”
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