Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump was awarded a “French Fries Certification” pin during a visit to Swannanoa, North Carolina, a town devastated by Hurricane Helene.
Chuck Edwards, a Republican congressman, thanked Trump “for taking the time to come to Western North Carolina. We’ve seen other folks do a fly over. It is so heartening to see you here with some dust on your shoes, actually seeing what’s taken place.” Newsweek has contacted Trump’s campaign and Edwards via email for comment.
Edwards, who was standing beside Trump at a podium in front of some of the town’s destroyed buildings, said that he owns McDonald’s restaurants, and therefore wished to recognize the nominee’s visit to one on Sunday in Feasterville-Trevose, Pennsylvania.
Donald Trump delivers remarks on Hurricane Helene, Monday, October 21, 2024, in Swannanoa, North Carolina. He was awarded a “French Fries Certification” pin by Representative Chuck Edwards.
Evan Vucci/ASSOCIATED PRESS
“For those of you who did not get to see it, I offered, because you know, I also own McDonald’s restaurants, I know that you perfected your skills behind the counter a day or so ago. And it was my honor to present President Trump with the French Fries Certification Pin,” Edwards said, holding up the pin, and giving it to Trump.
“Thank you very much; that’s really nice,” Trump said, holding up the pin and showing it off to the cameras.
A clip of the interaction was posted on X by user @Acyn on Monday, and had been viewed over 2.5 million times by Tuesday morning.
Edwards: I also own McDonald’s restaurants and I know that you perfected your skills behind the counter a day or so ago and it was my honor to present president trump with the french fry certification pin pic.twitter.com/s7Up4ghaIG
— Acyn (@Acyn) October 21, 2024
Several critics of Trump criticized the poor taste of him receiving the award while visiting the flood-devastated town.
CNBC contributor Carl Quintanilla wrote on X on Monday “95 confirmed fatalities [in North Carolina], $30 billion in property damage, one ‘French Fry Certification Pin’.”
Matt G. Metcalf, a web developer for Christianity Today and frequent Trump critic, wrote, “Donald Trump is standing in front of the broken rubble of my neighbors homes flashing a ‘french fry certification pin.’ My home was ravaged by one of the worst national disasters in recorded history and he is making it about him. I can’t say what I think of this man in public.”
Democratic influencer Art Candee wrote on X: “Donald Trump is an embarrassment and going to a place that was devastated by a hurricane and showing off his lame pin is vile.”
Swannanoa, like large sections of the Appalachia region including Western North Carolina, was devastated by flooding during Hurricane Helene, which killed at least 225 people, and destroyed billions of dollars’ worth of property.
Swannanoa was one of the worst-hit towns, with many homes obliterated, power lines downed, and roads left unpassable.
A press release issued by Trump’s campaign read, “President Donald J. Trump suited up for a shift at McDonald’s” on Sunday. The store was closed to the public during his visit, and customers he served were screened by the Secret Service and positioned before his arrival.
The Washington Post reported that Trump was at the fry station for about five minutes and spent around 15 minutes at the drive-thru window taking questions from reporters. No one ordered food, but instead received whatever Trump gave them.
The former president decided to make the McDonald’s campaign stop as part of a wider attack on Kamala Harris. He said, without evidence, that she “never worked” at McDonald’s, when she said she did while in college.
