Trump’s McDonald’s Moment: Fast-Food Prices Soar as Affordability Becomes a Campaign Flashpoint

Trump Celebrates McDonald’s as Prices Climb for Many Customers

President Donald Trump used a McDonald’s owners’ summit in Washington to underscore his affinity for the chain — joking about adding more tartar sauce to his Filet‑O‑Fish and touting his record on the economy. But a Daily Beast analysis cited at the event shows that for many Americans, McDonald’s is becoming less affordable, not more.

Price jumps since 2019: the Big Mac rose from about $4.39 to $8.39 (+91%), a Quarter Pounder with cheese is now $6.39 (+42.5%), a hamburger Happy Meal runs roughly $6.22 (+110%), and a small fries increased from $1.79 to $3.49 (+95%). These figures come from McDonald’s current price listings and the Daily Beast review.

McDonald’s chairman and CEO Chris Kempczinski told investors this month that consumers in the U.S. and other major markets remain under pressure, especially lower‑income customers. He said,

"There’s some significant inflation there that the low‑income consumers are having to absorb, and I think that’s affecting their outlook and their sentiment."

At the summit, Mr. Trump used the platform to declare that his administration is bringing prices down, saying,

"The Biden administration started the affordability crisis, but my administration is ending it. Prices are way down."

His remarks — which ranged from personal anecdotes to geopolitical topics — came as affordability has become a politically charged issue. A recent government shutdown left many federal workers unpaid and put millions at risk of losing SNAP benefits or facing higher health insurance costs. Voter concerns about rising prices were also reflected in recent Democratic gains in races across several states, including Virginia, New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania and Georgia.

McDonald’s says it has responded to the affordability squeeze with promotions such as meal deals starting at $5, "Buy One, Add One for $1" offers, and the return of extra value combos. Still, for many low‑income customers the steep increases in staple items have outpaced those measures.

Why it matters: Fast‑food prices are a visible, everyday measure of inflation for many households. When a widely recognized brand like McDonald’s shows large price increases, it becomes a tangible symbol of broader cost‑of‑living challenges that resonate with voters.

Despite the president’s upbeat framing at the summit — and a closing display of his trademark "Trump dance" — the trajectory of fast‑food prices suggests that many consumers continue to feel squeezed.

The Daily Beast reported on the price trends; the White House was contacted for comment.