In his latest episode of Last Week Tonight, comedian John Oliver didn’t hold back as he took a playful jab at Donald Trump’s recent visit to a McDonald’s. While Trump’s campaign stop at the fast-food chain in Philadelphia aimed to engage voters, it coincided with McDonald’s being in the headlines for a different reason: an E. coli outbreak.
The incident, linked initially to McDonald’s popular Quarter Pounders, led to concerns after reports of multiple illnesses and one death across several states. However, recent updates have cleared the Quarter Pounders, with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration now pointing to slivered onions as the potential cause of the outbreak. McDonald’s has since removed these onions and reintroduced the burger to their menu.
Oliver, who is known for weaving current events with satire, couldn’t resist commenting on the unique combination of news around Trump and McDonald’s. In his opening segment, he joked, “An E. coli outbreak was tied to McDonald’s but was still somehow the second most revolting thing inside of one this week.” The comment was accompanied by an image of Trump standing at the drive-through window, eliciting laughter from the audience.
Trump’s McDonald’s Stop Draws Attention – And Jokes
The visit to McDonald’s wasn’t just any campaign stop; Trump actively participated, working the fry station and taking questions at the drive-through. According to the owner of the Philadelphia franchise, Derek Giacomantonio, Trump’s visit was arranged after the former president’s team reached out with interest. While McDonald’s has a policy of not endorsing any political candidate, the company stated that they welcomed Trump’s visit to uphold their value of openness. “We open our doors to everyone,” they shared, emphasizing that McDonald’s does not align with any political party.
Meanwhile, Kamala Harris, Trump’s opponent in the race, also stirred attention by sharing her own history with McDonald’s, mentioning her past work at the chain. While McDonald’s could not confirm all records from the ’80s, they did appreciate her “fond memories of working under the golden arches.”
Oliver’s Segment Highlights Trump’s Immigration Policies and a Patriotic Twist
After his comedic jab at Trump’s McDonald’s stop, Oliver’s episode shifted focus to the topic of immigration. In two main segments, he explored Trump’s immigration policies and called on voters to support Harris, contrasting the candidates’ views on this crucial issue. Oliver also discussed the use of the song “God Bless the USA” in citizenship ceremonies, sharing his satirical vision for a more inclusive and entertaining anthem. The episode closed with Will Ferrell in a humorous music video, singing a new patriotic tune that Oliver proposed could become part of citizenship ceremonies.
With his signature humor, Oliver managed to connect two trending topics in one show, offering viewers both laughs and insights. His joke about Trump’s McDonald’s visit highlights how he continues to find comedy in unexpected places, drawing humor from current events to entertain and engage his audience.