Trump serves up fast food fiesta for Clemson’s White House visit
WASHINGTON — It’s a meal fit for a champion served by the fast food-loving commander-in-chief.
President Trump bought piles of burgers — 1,000, he said — and slices of pizza from fast food joints to feed the Clemson University football team, as members of the White House staff are furloughed and couldn’t make a meal for the Monday night event.
“So I had a choice,” Trump told members of the college National Championship team in the East Room at an event honoring them.
“Do we have no food for you? Or do we give you some quick little salads that the first lady will make along with the second lady. They’ll make some salads. And I said you guys aren’t into salads.”
Instead, the president said, he sent out for 1,000 burgers.
“We’ve got Big Macs, we’ve got Quarter Pounders, we’ve got everything that I like and you like,” the president said.
On the menu were eats from McDonald’s, Wendy’s and Burger King. Domino’s Pizza was served too. French fries were served in little White House cups. The smell of the fries hung over the East Room.
Earlier, White House press secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders released a statement blaming the Democrats for putting Trump in this position.
“The president wanted to host a fun event to celebrate the College Football National Champion Clemson Tigers. Because the Democrats refuse to negotiate on border security, much of the residence staff at the White House is furloughed — so the president is personally paying for the event to be catered with some of everyone’s favorite fast foods,” Huckabee Sanders said.
Trump told reporters outside the White House that he had paid the bill.
“We have some very large people that like eating,” Trump said. “So I think we’re going to have a little fun.”
At the event, Trump stood alongside Tigers coach Dabo Swinney and university president Jim Clements. He marveled at quarterback Trevor Lawrence.
“I want to be the agent of that tall, handsome quarterback,” Trump commented. He told other players they’re likely to become “wealthy as hell.”
He was less impressed by some of the fans in the room, including Treasury Secretary Steve Mnuchin. “Where’s Steve?” the president asked. “Couldn’t make the team, he would never be able to make the team, that I can tell you,” Trump said, commenting on Mnuchin’s athletic prowess. He continued by noting how acting Attorney General Matt is a “great player” and was in the Rose Bowl.
“Congratulations on your stunning victory against a great team. And your second national championship in three years,” he told the teammates, whom he invited for a private showing of the Oval Office.
The Clemson Tigers defeated Alabama 44-16 on Jan. 7 to go 15-0 and become national champions. Trump also met with the Clemson team in 2017 after they won the 2016 national championship by beating Alabama 35-31. He met with Alabama last year after they defeated Georgia 26-23 to win the championship.