Former U.S. President Donald Trump recently made headlines after tipping a delivery driver approximately KSh10,000 (about $100) following a high-profile food delivery to the Oval Office involving McDonald’s.
The unusual moment unfolded at the White House when a DoorDash driver, identified as Sharon Simmons, delivered two bags of McDonald’s food, reportedly including some of Trump’s favorite items such as cheeseburgers and fries, to the Oval Office.
The delivery was anything but ordinary, as it took place in front of cameras and members of the press, turning a routine food drop-off into a widely publicised political and media event.
According to reports, Trump personally received the order at the Oval Office entrance before engaging the driver in a brief exchange.
When asked whether the White House staff were good tippers, Trump reached into his pocket and handed the driver what appeared to be a $100 bill, equivalent to roughly KSh10,000, prompting applause and attention online.
The delivery was not random.
It formed part of a broader effort by Trump and his team to promote his “no tax on tips” policy, which seeks to allow workers who earn gratuities to keep more of their income by reducing or eliminating taxes on tips.
The event was staged to highlight the benefits of the policy, especially for gig economy workers like delivery drivers.
Simmons, a grandmother from Arkansas who has reportedly completed over 14,000 deliveries since joining DoorDash in 2022, has been a vocal beneficiary of the policy.
She revealed that she earned over $11,000 in tips in the past year, money that has helped support her family, including covering medical expenses.
During the interaction, Trump also briefly invited the driver to join him for an impromptu press moment, where he used the opportunity to reiterate his stance on tipping culture and economic policies.
Despite the political undertones, the spotlight largely remained on the symbolic gesture of tipping, a move that resonated with many service workers.
Trump’s fondness for McDonald’s is well documented, with the fast-food chain often featuring in his public appearances and even past White House events.
This latest episode added another chapter to that narrative, blending his personal preferences with political messaging.
While critics pointed out that the event appeared carefully orchestrated, supporters viewed it as a creative way to spotlight the financial realities faced by gig workers.
Either way, the moment quickly went viral, with many praising the tip as a generous gesture, especially given the setting inside one of the most secure and symbolic offices in the world.
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