President Trump staged a political stunt in the Oval Office, having McDonald's delivered by a DoorDash driver whom he tipped $100, to promote a tax policy allowing deductions for tipped income. He also engaged the driver in an awkward press conference and political questioning.
President Donald Trump orchestrated a publicity event in the Oval Office, receiving two bags of McDonald's via a DoorDash driver, Simmons, whom he publicly tipped $100. The spectacle was designed to highlight a tax policy from last summer's tax and spend package, which temporarily allows Americans to deduct up to $25,000 in federal taxes from income earned on tips. This effort comes ahead of Tax Day and despite being overshadowed by international conflicts and his feud with Pope Leo XIV. McDonald's is a known presidential favorite and has been used for political purposes before, such as serving the Clemson Tigers during a government shutdown and a campaign stop. During the event, Trump involved Simmons in an impromptu news conference, where she spoke about how the tax changes helped her. Trump then pressed her on her voting preferences and political views, including a controversial question about transgender athletes, to which she insisted her focus was "no tax on tips." The event concluded with Trump dramatically producing a $100 bill as a tip, prompting Simmons to confirm he was a "very" good tipper. He also invited her and her husband to a UFC event. The White House later stated Trump personally delivered the food to West Wing staff but did not mention if he received a tip.
