Donald Trump's Love of McDonald's and the Apple Pie Revival
President Donald Trump's long-running association with McDonald's is back in focus after McDonald's decision to revive its fried apple pie sparked a wave of political messaging, brand cross-talk and industry satire.
The fast-food giant confirmed this week it will bring back its original fried apple pie in the United States for the first time in more than three decades, with the limited-time return tied to celebrations for America's 250th anniversary.
But the announcement quickly took on a broader cultural and political dimension after the official White House social media account amplified the promotion-alongside imagery of Trump with McDonald's bags-appearing to align the president with the nostalgic launch.
A Familiar Fast-Food Presidency
Before his political career, Trump appeared in a McDonald's commercial in 2002, promoting the "Big N' Tasty" burger as part of the Dollar Menu. In the ad, he talks to the Grimace character about how McDonald's can sell a burger so cheaply-leaning into his "dealmaker" persona.
The president has repeatedly used the chain as both a personal staple and a recurring feature of his political persona-dating back to his 2016 campaign, when aides were known to pick up regular orders that reportedly included burgers, fries and apple pies.
His affinity carried into the White House. During his first term, Trump famously served fast food-including McDonald's-to visiting college sports teams, framing the meals as an accessible, all-American choice.
In 2024, Trump was pictured on a private jet with Robert F. Kennedy Jr., Elon Musk and House Speaker Mike Johnson enjoying a McDonald's meal. In more recent appearances, he has appeared in photo opportunities with McDonald's deliveries and taken questions from reporters while holding takeaway bags.
Now, as the fast food chain announced the return of the fried apple pie, the official White House X account shared a picture of the president in the Oval Office with McDonald’s bags with the caption: “Making America Great Again for real.”
The Apple Pie Revival-and Why It Matters
The fried apple pie itself carries symbolic weight for McDonald's.
First introduced in 1968 alongside the Big Mac, the original fried version was replaced in most U.S. locations in 1992 as the company responded to growing concerns over fat and cholesterol.
Bringing it back now-more than 30 years later-positions the product as a throwback tied directly to Americana, a framing reinforced by its link to the country's 250th celebrations.
The moment also stands apart from Trump's broader push to promote healthier lifestyles under his "Make America Healthy Again" messaging, which has emphasized diet, fitness and chronic disease prevention.
Enter Big Oil
The viral moment did not stop with politics or fast food.
In a post responding to McDonald's announcement, the U.S. Oil & Gas Association appeared to jokingly welcome the return of the fried pie-before pivoting to a pointed message about petroleum-based products.
The group wrote that petroleum jelly, or petrolatum, is "best and most commonly recommended for minor burns," referencing the risk of hot fillings in fried pies.
When the Fried Apple Pie Returns-and for How Long
McDonald's says the revived fried apple pie will be available at most U.S. restaurants starting June 23, marking the first widespread return of the original recipe in more than 30 years.
In a statement, McDonald’s said: “The OG Fried Apple Pie is back at participating restaurants nationwide for a limited time. The all-day menu item features our signature filling made with 100 percent American-grown apples, wrapped in the same golden crunch and flaky fried crust fans remember.”
The rollout is nationwide but limited-time, with the company not specifying an exact end date-though the promotion is tied to America's 250th anniversary celebrations, suggesting a relatively short window tied to the July 4 holiday period.
As part of the campaign, McDonald's is also installing a 35-foot-tall fried apple pie display in Joliet, Illinois, which is set to remain in place until Independence Day.
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This story was originally published June 17, 2026 at 8:04 AM.