Saudi Arabia paid tribute Tuesday during a state visit by a fast-food fan who is also the leader of the free world by placing a mobile McDonald's outside its Royal Court.
President Donald Trump, who kicked off a four-day trip to the Middle East with a stop in Riyadh, briefly staffed a McDonald's drive-thru in Pennsylvania during his 2024 presidential campaign to mock opponent Kamala Harris' claims that she worked for the company in Alameda, California, in the early 1980s.
"As part of the red-carpet treatment, Saudi officials arranged for a fully operational mobile McDonald's unit to accompany President Trump during his stay," eastern European news outlet NEXTA TV reported in a post on X. "The move raised eyebrows, but insiders say it's not surprising: Trump is known for his love of fast food, particularly McDonald's."
The mobile McDonald's was set up near the venue playing host to global media, The Economic Times reported. It was not known whether it was for the president specifically or to serve the assembled media, but it was emblazoned with the company's golden arches with text in Arabic and English.
"Yes, it's a mobile @McDonalds here in Riyadh," Mike Wagenheim, a reporter for i24NEWS, an Israeli media outlet, posted on X with a video he said he took.
Trump's arrival was met with the pomp and circumstance afforded a world leader. Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman greeted him on the tarmac at King Khalid International Airport after the president got off Air Force One.
Trump and the crown prince reviewed an honor guard as they walked on a lavender carpet to the airport's grand ceremonial hall, where the president and his aides were welcomed with traditional Arabic coffee, served by attendants wearing ceremonial belts, the Times reported.
There are 267 McDonald's franchises in Saudi Arabia employing more than 7,396 workers, the company said on its website.
Michael Katz ✉
Michael Katz is a Newsmax reporter with more than 30 years of experience reporting and editing on news, culture, and politics.
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