Did Kamala Harris Work at McDonald’s? Her Past Job Explained

Vice President and Democratic presidential candidate Kamala Harris revealed her past McDonald’s gig during her campaign. Following the Democratic National Convention, Kamala touted her former gig at the fast-food chain to exemplify her support for working-class families. But republican candidate Donald Trump questioned the California native on her employment. So, did Kamala really work at a McDonald’s in the past?

Did Kamala Harris Work at McDonald’s?

I know what it is like to care for an aging parent while working full-time.

That is why my opportunity agenda will make life easier for those taking care of their parents and grandparents by having Medicare cover the cost of home health care. pic.twitter.com/PqIHrbWlR4

— Kamala Harris (@KamalaHarris) October 21, 2024

During a September 2024 MSNBC interview, Kamala explained why she revealed her past fast-food job amid the race to the White House.

“Part of the reason I even talk about having worked at McDonald’s is because there are people who work at McDonald’s in our country who are trying to raise a family,” she pointed out. “I worked there as a student.”

Kamala has claimed that she worked at the famous American restaurant chain to support herself while attending Howard University in Washington D.C. in the 1980s.

“I think part of the difference between me and my opponent includes our perspective on the needs of the American people and what our responsibility, then, is to meet those needs,” the former prosecutor added, referring to Donald. “Gone is the day of everyone thinking they could actually live the American dream. So, part of my vision for the economy is let’s deal with some of the everyday challenges that people face and address them with commonsense solutions, such as affordable housing.”

There is currently no public record of Kamala’s past McDonald’s job. However, according to Newsweek, the restaurant noted in a recent statement, “We and our franchisees don’t have records for all positions dating back to the early ’80s.”

Did Donald Trump Work at a Pennsylvania McDonald’s?

The McDonald’s was closed, y’all. What a joke. He is such a fraud. #TrumpExposed 🤥 pic.twitter.com/Srr1TrqaYr

— 🪷 Madam Auntie VP Kamala Harris for PRESIDENT! (@flywithkamala) October 20, 2024

During his campaign, Donald appeared at a McDonald’s in Feasterville, Pennsylvania, in October 2024. As seen in multiple social media videos, he served French fries at the drive-thru. However, the customers who accepted the orders were pre-selected, according to multiple outlets.

Additionally, a photo of a what appeared to be a flyer from the McDonald’s that Donald visited made the rounds on social media. It revealed that the franchise location had been shut down for several hours to “accommodate a visit at the request of former president Donald Trump and his campaign.”

“While we are not a political organization, we proudly open our doors to everyone and, as a locally owned and operated location, this visit provides a unique opportunity to shine a light on the positive impact of small businesses here in Feasterville,” the letter read.

The flyer, which was signed by operator Derek Giacomantonio and his “team at Feasterville McDonald’s,” also noted, “We’re equally honored to share the significance of what one in eight Americans have experienced: that a job at McDonald’s is more than just a job. It’s a pathway to critical skills development and meaningful career opportunities.”

What Did Donald Trump Say About Kamala Harris’ McDonald’s Job?

During his campaign, Donald doubted that Kamala ever worked for McDonald’s. On multiple occasions, including when he visited the Feasterville location, the Republican candidate claimed that Kamala lied about her past job.