Part of Donald Trump’s royal welcome to the Saudi kingdom on Tuesday was a nod to his penchant for fast food, particularly McDonald’s.
Amid the Arabian horses flanking his limo, a musical playlist that included “YMCA” and the personal airport greeting from Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, was a bilingually branded, fully outfitted, mobile McDonald’s truck.
Parked outside the “Media Oasis,” the hub hosting journalists and showcasing Saudi innovation, the truck was first spotted by i24 News journalist Mordechai Wagenheim, who documented it on X.
The truck, which was not yet open for business, had English and Arabic lettering on the side, and two staircases awaiting patrons.
“Yes, it’s a mobile McDonald’s here in Riyadh,” Wagenheim captioned a short video panning over the massive trailer.
During his first term as president, Trump directed White House chefs and kitchen staff to recreate his favorite McDonald’s dishes, including Quarter Pounders and apple pies. He famously celebrated with a McDonald’s meal when he snagged enough delegates to win the presidential nomination in 2018. And he was notoriously roasted for serving fast food, including but not limited to McDonald’s fare, to visiting championship athletic teams in 2019.
Trump’s criminal defense team during last year’s seven-week hush money trial was fueled by junk food, his attorney revealed afterward. Trump even used the fast-food chain in a campaign stop, working the fry station at a Pennsylvania McDonald’s last October, then leaning out the drive-thru window to talk to reporters.
So for his opulent welcome in Riyadh, the Saudis kitted out the mobile McDonald’s truck capable of serving the presidential entourage and the 500-plus journalists who are covering the visit. However, it was not clear whether Trump would actually eat from the truck.
While Trump didn’t mention the truck in his opening remarks at a meeting with the crown prince, the overall gesture clearly made an impression.
“I really believe we like each other a lot,” he said.
With News Wire Services
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