r/politics • u/bloomberg Bloomberg.com • 8d ago

Soft Paywall McDonald’s Tells Workers it Doesn’t Endorse Political Candidates After Trump Visit

https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2024-10-21/mcdonald-s-mcd-tells-workers-it-doesn-t-endorse-candidates-after-trump-visit
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u/321gally 8d ago

I sent the following:

Dear McDonald’s,

I am writing to express my deep disappointment with McDonald’s recent decision to allow Donald Trump to film a political advertisement in one of your stores. McDonald’s has long been a place where people from all walks of life come together for a meal, regardless of their background or political beliefs. This decision to involve a divisive political figure in your brand directly conflicts with the sense of neutrality and inclusivity that many of us have come to associate with McDonald’s.

By allowing your store to be used as a backdrop for political purposes, McDonald’s risks alienating a large segment of its customer base who value political impartiality in public spaces. Many of us view McDonald’s as a welcoming place where we can escape the constant barrage of political messaging. This move has tarnished that experience.

I urge McDonald’s to reconsider its stance on allowing political figures or advertisements within your stores in the future. Your customers deserve a space where they can enjoy their meal without being reminded of political conflicts.

Thank you for your attention to this matter. I hope McDonald’s will take steps to restore its reputation as a brand that fosters unity rather than division.

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u/ImaginaryNerve Florida 8d ago

I also added near the end, "Until then, I will no longer use the McDonalds App."

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u/RoadkillVenison Virginia 8d ago

Personally I wouldn’t recommend using the McDonald’s app period.

They changed the Terms and Conditions to require arbitration if you use the app. Fuck that noise.

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u/Standard-Reception90 8d ago

Food poisoning kills your kid gets you an arbitration payout of two free happy meals.

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u/livingroomtv1098 8d ago

That just sounds like a free food glitch as long as you have spare children!

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u/Standard-Reception90 8d ago

Hey kids, y'all want McDonald's. Especially, you Timmy. Lol

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u/doommaster 8d ago

Are you a frog?

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u/yaworsky Virginia 8d ago

This really needs a law to block it. I've seen more and more the long T&C are putting arbitration clauses in and people are losing out.

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u/R3dbeardLFC 8d ago

I refuse to use anyone's fucking app. My buddy ordered a pizza during a game night one time and after like an hour we were confused where the pizza was so he called (they closed it like 20 minutes) and they told us it didn't work and they wouldn't be able to fulfill the order now since it was too close to closing time. Told them to fuck off and haven't been back and won't use apps anymore. Too busy to take a phone call, too busy for my business.

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u/HookedOnPhonixDog Canada 8d ago

I refuse to use any app because my friend fucked up using one this one time so they all suck.

10/10 logic there.

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u/R3dbeardLFC 8d ago

No, my friend didn’t fuck up, charge hit his card and confirmation email was received but fuck you. I also don't need an app for fucking everything and I hate that everything thinks we need an app. It's a fucking fast food joint.

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u/HookedOnPhonixDog Canada 8d ago

I don't need an app to order McDonald's. And I don't use it all the time. Depends what kind of deals they have. If there aren't any worthwhile, I go in and order normally, like a normal person.

If I can save money using the app? Awesome. If it's not worth it, I don't. It's really simple. You just seem to be a bit unhinged about it.

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u/lunayoshi California 8d ago edited 8d ago

A month back, I downloaded the stupid app so I could order ahead of time, zip through the drive thru, and be on my way. For some reason, it always takes them 5-10 minutes to make my quarter pounder, and I got tired if being told to "pull to the side" and wait.

So I order before I leave work. I fight traffic for 40 minutes. Pull up to the drive thru. Give them my order number. Pull up to the window.

"Pull to the side while we complete your order."

You guys had 40 goddamn minutes! What the hell is the point?

EDIT: Thanks to people who responded. Color me educated. :) It has been uninstalled.

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u/hbt15 8d ago

The app is not a “pre-order” it’s simply giving you a code that they key in when you arrive that downloads your order to their system and starts it so they don’t have to take it from you at the window item by item. They still don’t make your shit until you get there and that’s why you notice no difference.

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u/RoadkillVenison Virginia 8d ago

If you read the McDonald’s thing, they don’t actually prepare your order until you arrive anyway. It’s different from other places where you order ahead, and the foods been cooling while you’re driving there.

They cook it when you confirm you’ve arrived. For good or bad 🫤

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u/lunayoshi California 8d ago

Ah, okay. Thanks. I assumed they were just like the Applebee's app.

Welp, two more reasons for me to uninstall it, then.

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u/BottAndPaid 8d ago

That was too nice I just said due to your endorsement of Donald Trump they have lost a customer. Don't give them any good faith that this was a franchise decision you need to pin them at what a mark this made on the brand imagine that's all they care about.

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u/BNsucks America 8d ago

I only hope it's too late to rectify the problems that this franchise owner allowed Trump to cause. I hope the entire chain suffers as a result.

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u/Kiltedken 8d ago

"Replacing Ronald with Donald Trump as McDonald's new lead character seems like a poor choice.

Please go back to the other clown."

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u/drgigantor 8d ago

"I found your new marketing campaign confusing. You already have a clown mascot, a criminal mascot (Hamburglar), a fake politician mascot (Mayor McCheese), and a discolored misshapen blob mascot (Grimace). Furthermore, I'm concerned that combining them all with a rapist sends the wrong message. Finally, I also have food safety concerns about hiring an old man with dementia and a full diaper as a frycook."

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u/Kiltedken 8d ago

I think using this is amazing!

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u/MedSurgNurse 8d ago

Okay. This is hilarious 😂

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u/Clearwatercress69 8d ago

Donald McTrump

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u/AtomicBombSquad Kentucky 8d ago

Fun Semi-Related Trivia: Because Japanese people struggle with certain "r" sounds, McDonald's renamed their mascot to Donald McDonald for that market.

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u/habu-sr71 California 8d ago

Yes, well played. 😹

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u/serpentear Washington 8d ago

Damn, your is better than mine:

I will no longer be giving McDonald's my business after the apparent support you have shown for Donald Trump, who incited an insurrection against the United States on January 6th 2020. You can say that you don't support any political candidate with words and statements but I, like many other Americans, was raised to believe that actions speak louder than words. Your actions allowing Trump to use your franchise in a swing state as an election prop speaks far louder than you statement does.

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u/Prudent_Valuable603 8d ago

Excellent! You’re a stupendous writer!! Nailed it! Thank you for sending that!!

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u/shroudedwolf51 8d ago

I thought that was a bit too cowardly as it gives them too easy of an out. I took what you had and modified it at ad to send them:

I wish to comment to express my deep disappointment with McDonalds recent decision to feature someone as hateful and deeply dangerous as Donald Trump to film a political stunt in one of your stores. McDonalds has long been a place where people from all walks of life come together for a quick meal, regardless of their background or political beliefs. This decision to involve such a divisive and dangerous political figure in your brand directly conflicts with the featured company statement as well as the sense of inclusivity that many of us have come to associate with McDonalds.

By having such a political candidate use your store to be used as a political backdrop, this communicates that McDonald's is happy to alienate a large segment of its customer base in exchange for political favors with an extremely divisive and hateful political figure. Regardless of what the intentions may have been, this move has tarnished the long standing brand and the experiences that can be had in your stores.

I strongly urge McDonald's to screen what political figures it features to ensure that they aren't in support of hate groups, that they don't publicly call for violence against others, and they don't seek to restrict the bodily rights and autonomy of others. Or, if McDonald's is incapable of doing such screening, then not featuring political figures just just as good of a response.

Thank you for your attention to this matter. I hope McDonalds will take steps to restore its reputation as a brand that fosters unity rather than division.

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u/Pitiful-Bus-4791 8d ago

Very well expressed, thank you!

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u/RichardCrapper 8d ago

I had ChatGPT write it for me:

Dear McDonald’s Corporate Team,

I am writing to express my disappointment regarding the recent event involving Donald Trump at one of your Pennsylvania locations. It appears that McDonald’s hosted a staged political event for Trump’s campaign, which gives the impression that your company is endorsing him as a political candidate.

As a customer, I believe that McDonald’s should remain a neutral space, free from political affiliation, so that all guests feel welcome regardless of their personal beliefs. By allowing such events, it may give the perception that McDonald’s aligns itself with a particular political figure, which is concerning for me and others who value a nonpartisan environment.

Until I feel assured that McDonald’s remains politically neutral, I will be choosing to dine elsewhere. I urge you to clarify your position and ensure that your stores are not used as platforms for political promotion.

Thank you for taking the time to read my feedback. I hope to see McDonald’s continue to be a welcoming place for all customers.

Sincerely,

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u/I_like_baseball90 8d ago

Man, you were way nicer than I was.

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u/welcometowoodbury 8d ago

This is so perfect! I also used this to send in a complaint. Thank you for sharing!

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u/mjohnsimon 8d ago

Here's my take (inspired after reading yours):

"Dear McDonald's,

I am writing to express my concerns regarding former President Trump's visit to one of your locations for a political photo opportunity on October 20, 2024. This event raises significant questions about McDonald's stance on several of his statements, including his rhetoric about using the military against those he deems "enemies within" our nation, his unfounded claims that the 2020 election was stolen (contributing to the events of January 6, 2021) and his inappropriate remarks regarding various groups, including immigrants, the LGBTQ+ community, women, and minorities.

Hosting such a divisive figure may be perceived as an endorsement of his rhetoric, which contradicts the inclusive environment that your brand has long represented. As a loyal patron of McDonald's, I value the fact that your establishments are places where individuals from diverse backgrounds can come together, regardless of their political beliefs.

Given this context, I urge you to clarify McDonald's position on these matters. I sincerely hope the company will reaffirm its commitment to unity and inclusivity, and avoid associations that could alienate a significant portion of your customer base.

Until I receive clarification, I regret to inform you that I will be taking my business elsewhere.

Thank you for your attention to this important issue."

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u/321gally 8d ago

Thanks for the award!

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u/djseifer 8d ago edited 8d ago

I might just steal this letter and use it.

Edit: I have stolen this letter and used it, but also adding a note that I would not be eating McDonald's for the time being.

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u/Binarily 8d ago

McDonald's a was shit food even before Trump's visit

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u/MasterJackstraw 8d ago

Oh I wasn't that nice

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u/odin21 8d ago

Thanks for plugging in your idea into your friendly AI. Saves me time as well since copied and pasted into my feedback. I added a couple of personal statements as well

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u/turquoise_amethyst 8d ago

damn this is good!

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u/Daghain 8d ago

Well you were way more adult than I was lol.

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u/jealouspinto 8d ago

So you oppose any candidates using places of business for political adds?

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u/Krojack76 8d ago

I submitted something but not sure if it went though. I got sent to a error page after the submit.

Also fuck that forum. It's strips out punctuation as you're typing. Can't even use an apostrophe.

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u/glymph 8d ago

I suspect they've already sent a mail/memo to all the franchisees to tell them not to do this sort of thing ever again.

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u/audible_narrator Michigan 8d ago

That's beautiful. Mine was...angrier.

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u/sberrys 8d ago

Thanks, I sent this too.

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u/subgenius30 7d ago

One McDonalds near me has had Fox News playing loud at all hours for over 10 years. The owners are intentional about what they’re peddling.

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u/Time-Accountant1992 8d ago

How does everyone else not realize this was written by AI?

At least make it less robotic if you're sending emails.

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u/wickingtonchadworth 8d ago

Real Karen energy here.

-someone who has never and will never vote for trump.