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Trump at McDonald’s, rallies in Lancaster amidst Pennsylvania tour

Sevan Sinton

Associate News Editor

On Sunday, Oct. 20, former President Donald J. Trump visited Lancaster Convention Center, nearly two weeks from election day. 

Prior to the Sunday rally, Trump sparked a viral moment on social media, showcasing his skills as a fry cook and drive-thru employee at a Bucks County McDonald’s. The photo op was intended to combat claims made by Vice President Kamala Harris, who has stated she worked at a McDonald’s in 1983 while attending Howard University; a nod to her upbringing and middle-class supportership. However, Trump has denied Harris’s claims of working at the establishment, even saying “I’ve now worked for 15 minutes more than Kamala,” while handing orders to MAGA-faithful at the drive-thru window

Lines began forming for the 2:00 p.m. event early Sunday morning, which amassed to cover multiple blocks of central Lancaster by midday. Combing the line were cart-drawn vendors selling various Trump and “Make America Great Again” (MAGA) merchandise. “I’d rather be dead than Democrat!” one shouted. Honking motorists sporting Trump flags and MAGA hats spurred the crowd of onlookers to chant “Fight! Fight! Fight!,” a new slogan that caught on with supporters of Trump following an attempt on the former president’s life in July during a rally in Butler, Pennsylvania. 

With multiple close calls regarding the safety of the former president, the security at the Lancaster Convention Center was tight. Surveillance trucks were spotted outside the venue with police officers stationed at street corners. No bags, bottles, or plastic containers were allowed into the event. Every attendee was required to empty their pockets and proceed through a metal detector to be granted entrance. 

The wait to get into the event was around two hours, with Trump appearing at 5:00 p.m. following a short introduction by former news anchor turned Republican talking head Sage Steele. The event, which was packed into the crowded Freedom Hall of the Lancaster Convention Center, had characteristics of both a rally and town hall, with Lancaster residents and officials allotted microphone time to ask the former president questions. 

Trump is slated to visit Las Vegas and New York in his last few stops as the days tick down to Nov. 5.