Following a high-profile visit from former President Donald Trump at a McDonald’s in Bucks County, Pennsylvania, the restaurant has reportedly faced a wave of threats and negative online reviews from political detractors. The franchise owner, Derek Giacomantonio, said that since Trump’s visit, the location has received aggressive messages through phone calls and social media. These threats have prompted him to hire private security to ensure a safe environment for his employees and customers.
Trump’s visit, organized by Jim Worthington, a leader of the Pennsylvania Republican National Convention delegation, attracted significant attention. The former president surprised staff and customers alike by taking on roles at the fry station and drive-thru window, creating a memorable experience for those present and drawing interest from the broader community.
The backlash came swiftly. According to Giacomantonio, shortly after the visit, the restaurant was bombarded with threats that escalated quickly, creating an environment he felt warranted increased security measures. The threats included both direct messages and fake, negative Yelp reviews aimed at tarnishing the location’s reputation. The situation has escalated enough that Yelp has temporarily suspended reviews for the location to manage the flood of politically charged responses.
Giacomantonio, who personally covers the cost of security, indicated that he already had security measures in place during Trump’s visit, anticipating that the former president’s presence could attract considerable attention. In an effort to avoid potential incidents, the added security team now remains in place indefinitely, ready to respond to any unrest that may arise from ongoing public reaction.
Despite fears of a boycott and negative feedback, Giacomantonio stated that the local community has largely rallied in support of the McDonald’s franchise, showing an outpouring of goodwill with increased visits. Jim Worthington, who helped coordinate Trump’s appearance, also commented on the local response, noting that while some in the community anticipated a boycott, the opposite has happened. Many community members have visited the restaurant as a show of solidarity, underscoring a shared sense of support for Giacomantonio’s franchise and Trump’s visit.
During his visit, Trump addressed a comment made by Vice President Kamala Harris about having supposedly worked at a McDonald’s in her youth, a claim which Trump publicly challenged. He referenced Harris’s previous statements about her family background, including an assertion that her grandfather was an “independence fighter” against the British in India—remarks which have also been questioned and met with skepticism by some fact-checkers.
Trump argued that these claims were unsubstantiated and inconsistent with other accounts of her background. His remarks on the matter, combined with his visit to the McDonald’s, spurred both positive and negative reactions, with supporters praising his down-to-earth connection with everyday Americans and critics reacting with indignation.
The incident also draws attention to the influence of political tensions on business owners who are often caught in the crossfire. For Giacomantonio, the fallout from Trump’s visit has required balancing his role as a business owner with the heightened political scrutiny that comes with high-profile events. While the visit was meant to be a lighthearted moment connecting Trump with his supporters, it has since escalated into a politically charged issue that has forced Giacomantonio to make security arrangements usually unnecessary for a fast-food establishment.
As Giacomantonio and his team navigate the consequences of Trump’s visit, the situation highlights a larger pattern of political division spilling into public and commercial spaces. In recent years, business owners across the country have faced similar backlash following visits from or endorsements of political figures. In some cases, threats and public pressure have led businesses to distance themselves from certain figures, while others have openly embraced the increased attention.
Despite the security challenges, the local response has been largely positive, with patrons continuing to support the Bucks County McDonald’s even as the franchise fields hostility from outside its immediate area. While Giacomantonio has not shared details of the specific threats received, he remains optimistic, expressing gratitude for the support his business has received from the community in the days following Trump’s visit.
Moving forward, the McDonald’s franchise plans to maintain security measures as a precaution, though Giacomantonio expressed hope that tensions will eventually ease. For now, the incident underscores the complications of running a business in a highly polarized political climate, where even a routine visit from a public figure can spark national attention—and, in some cases, controversy.
As Trump continues his public appearances leading up to the 2024 election, his visit to the Bucks County McDonald’s serves as a reminder of the political climate’s intensity and the unforeseen impact it can have on local businesses caught in the fray.
MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN! pic.twitter.com/rA5FwAQWFy
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) October 20, 2024