President Donald Trump surprised a room full of McDonald’s franchise owners this week with some unexpected feedback – channeling his inner fast food critic.
During the McDonald's Impact Summit, the longtime Filet-o-Fish fanatic took the mic and told franchisees exactly what was missing from his go-to menu item.
Tariffs, Dividends and Filet-o-Fish: The Connecting Thread
To some, the anti-tartar-sauce jab may seem trivial. But in the bigger picture, it ties in with Trump’s ongoing crusade around tariffs and working-class American spending power.
Weeks ago, the president promised “dividends” from tariff revenue – suggesting Americans could receive “thousands of dollars” before the 2026 midterm elections thanks to trade policy gains.
Credit: Samuel Corum / Getty Images.
Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent confirmed the idea of $2,000-level payments to moderate-income households was under consideration. He noted these payments might not even be direct checks, but could come as tax breaks, changes in overtime and Social Security rules, or other financial relief.
So, what did Trump actually say?
“Everybody loves something at McDonald’s. I like the fish… You could do a little bit more tartar sauce though, please, seriously,” he said.
For a moment, the room went quiet. Then, given the setting, people started quietly chuckling – and perhaps wondering if he’d just launched a presidential tartar-sauce challenge.
But the Bigger Drama Is Still Elsewhere
Meanwhile, Trump also announced a surprising U-turn earlier this week. He signalled support for releasing classified documents tied to Jeffrey Epstein, after months of resistance. The move triggered an avalanche of media coverage, overshadowing jokes about tartar sauce – but linking back to the broader theme of transparency, accountability, and public trust.
So yes, Trump asked for more tartar sauce. But that message resonated for more than fast food fans. In a single line, he touched on consumer choice, working-class priorities and his broader economic agenda. Add in trade policy, dividend promises, and Epstein file drama – and you’ve got a moment that’s quirky, memetic, and distinctly Trump.
After all, if the President can weigh in on the condiment you’re served at a drive-thru, maybe the bigger picture isn’t all that surprising.