Trump gives a $100 tip to DoorDash driver who delivered two McDonald’s bags to the White House

(SeaPRwire) –   On Monday, President Donald Trump used a $100 tip to a DoorDash driver delivering two bags of McDonald’s to the Oval Office, combining his preferred meal with a reality-TV style moment to highlight a tax policy he claims provides significant rebates for Americans who receive tips.

Wearing a “DoorDash Grandma” shirt, Sharon Simmons approached the outer door of the Oval Office and knocked as cameras filmed. Trump emerged, greeting her with, “Hello. Nice to see you,” then exclaiming, “Look at this!” He glanced at a group of reporters and quipped, “This doesn’t look staged, does it?”

The event was undeniably staged. Simply gaining access to the White House grounds requires prior authorization and security clearance, and reaching the Oval Office—let alone proximity to the president—would necessitate further screenings and background investigations.

Nevertheless, the White House is seeking to draw focus to a provision within the Trump-supported tax legislation passed last summer. This measure permits Americans to temporarily deduct a portion of federal taxes from their tip income. It allows certain workers to deduct up to $25,000, with the benefit decreasing for those earning more.

Administration officials are ramping up this promotional push before Tax Day this Wednesday, even though the topic has been eclipsed for weeks by the Iran war, which has increased fuel costs and unsettled markets, and more recently by Trump’s dispute with Pope Leo XIV.

McDonald’s is a perennial favorite of the president and a food he has previously leveraged for political purposes.

During a government shutdown in his first term that limited kitchen staff, he notably ordered McDonald’s and large quantities of other fast food for the visiting NCAA champion Clemson Tigers football team in 2019. He also created a memorable stop in his successful 2024 reelection bid by visiting a Pennsylvania McDonald’s, where he operated the fryer and fielded press questions from the drive-thru window.

On Monday, Simmons, identified by DoorDash as being from Arkansas, described how the tax change lowered her reported income. She later informed reporters her annual tips exceeded $11,000. Precise savings could not be confirmed as her tax documents were not made available.

Trump then inquired, “Would you like to do a little news conference with me?” and positioned her somewhat uncomfortably next to him as he fielded queries on his threats to blockade the Strait of Hormuz and his refusal to apologize to Pope Leo.

The president later posed a question to Simmons: “I think you voted for me. Do you think?” She answered, “Um, maybe.” Unfazed, Trump proceeded, “I heard you’re a great supporter. We appreciate it.”

When a reporter later asked if the White House tipped well, Simmons paused: “Um … potentially.”

“Wait,” Trump declared, pulling a $100 bill from his pocket and giving it to her with a smile. She accepted the cash, laughed, and concluded, “Yes, very,” while the president patted her back, smiling broadly.

Trump also extended an invitation to Simmons and her husband for a UFC match he is helping organize on the White House lawn in June for his 80th birthday. He then returned to Simmons to pressure her on whether she thinks “men should play in women’s sports”—a common theme for him as he criticizes Democrats for their strong backing of transgender rights.

“I really don’t have an opinion on that,” Simmons responded, leading Trump to insist, “I’ll bet you do.”

“No, no,” she maintained. “I’m here about no tax on tips.”

The White House later stated Trump personally distributed the food—cheeseburgers and fries—to staff in the West Wing.

It did not mention whether he received a tip for this delivery.