In a move that has been described as a “charming gesture” and an “ultimate sign of hospitality,” Saudi Arabia has rolled out a mobile McDonald’s truck outside the Royal Court in Riyadh, catering to US President Donald Trump’s well-known love for the fast-food chain. This gesture came ahead of Trump’s arrival in the city, where he signed a major “strategic economic partnership” deal worth up to $600 billion in investments in the US energy, defense, mining, and space sectors.
A short video of the McDonald’s double-decker trailer, stationed outside the ‘Media Oasis’ hub where journalists covering Trump’s visit were based, was posted on social media, generating a buzz among online commentators. Conservative journalist Benny Johnson shared the clip, noting that “Saudi Arabia brought in a mobile McDonald’s for President Trump on his visit.” The most common reaction to the news was a nod to McDonald’s iconic slogan: “I’m Lovin’ It.”
Trump’s fondness for McDonald’s is no secret. In an interview, he once praised the chain’s offerings, saying, “The Big Macs are great. The Quarter Pounder. It is great stuff.” His former campaign manager, Corey Lewandowski, also revealed in his book ‘Let Trump Be Trump’ that the president’s typical diet during the 2016 White House race included two Big Macs, two Filet-O-Fish, and a chocolate malt. Additionally, Trump ordered burgers from McDonald’s for the national college football champions, the Clemson Tigers, during their visit to the White House, and even asked for McDonald’s after recovering from COVID-19 in 2020, according to his son-in-law Jared Kushner.
Last year, Trump took his affection for McDonald’s to the next level by working at a fryer and handing out food through the drive-thru window at a McDonald’s restaurant in Pennsylvania. Although the company later stated that it did not give permission for Trump to hold the campaign event at its restaurant, the incident further highlighted the president’s fondness for the brand. As McDonald’s noted in a statement, “We are not red or blue – we are golden,” emphasizing the company’s neutrality in political matters.
While there have been no reports of Trump stopping for a meal at the mobile McDonald’s truck in Riyadh, the gesture by Saudi Arabia has been seen as a thoughtful nod to the president’s preferences. The move has generated significant interest and discussion online, with many praising the hosts for their considerate welcome.
