A lot of hay has been made as of late over the dropping approval of the job done by President Donald Trump during the first five months into his second term.
Most outlets have reported a decrease in those numbers of up to 9.6 points from the average of 50.5% recorded in his first week in office, according to a recent survey published by the non-partisan Brookings Institute.
While economic turmoil is largely what many pundits and policy wonks specify as the cause, and that certainly is a factor, I think there is another problem the Trump White House has that has affected many administrations and could be remedied.
Recently I was brought into the realm of nostalgia in conjuring my days at college, when then-president of Stephen F. Austin State University Dr. Tito Guerrero hosted a once-a-semester forum called “Pizza with the President.” During these events, of which I attended several, Dr. Guerrero would take questions from students over a free pizza meal.
Students came armed with questions and concerns that ranged from ideas on how the university could boost its enrollment numbers through better recruitment strategies to questions about possible funding for better facilities in the university center.
Dr. Guerrero listened to everyone’s questions and concerns, and many of these were addressed during his tenure, including the eventual construction of a state-of-the-art brand-new UC, which would put many high-end shopping malls to shame, from both a design and facilities standpoint.
Dr. Guerrero was always highly visible and approachable on campus, and I always respected that about him.
One of the things I hear with a high degree of regularity when conversations turn to the U.S. presidency (and have for many years, regardless of who is in office) is that people feel alienated from that world. Many feel that politicians in Washington, D.C., live in their own sort of sacrosanct vacuum, and cannot be bothered by the opinions and needs of We the People outside of that world. I tend to agree with that, by and large.
President Trump could go a long way toward reaching out to constituents in a fashion similar to what the SFASU former president utilized.
Trump has long been associated with both McDonald’s hamburgers – especially Big Macs – as well as his hyper-populist style of political engagement.
Call it the “Hamburger Town Hall” or “Big Macs with the Big Man,” such an event could do wonders for tapping into the needs and concerns of the U.S. people and supply a new connection with everyday Americans who feel largely ignored by Trump and the political process, in general.
Trump’s long-standing McDonald’s love is well-known. Aside from an early 2000s stint at advertising for the fast-food giant, Trump reportedly eats two Big Macs and two Filet-o-Fish sandwiches in a sitting most every day, and his son, Donald Trump, Jr., once said that no one has eaten more McDonald’s food per capital than his father.
Anderson Cooper once asked Trump in an interview what his favorite McDonald’s sandwich or meal was and he said “It’s great stuff,” before waxing poetic about both the Quarter Pounder and the Big Mac.
That very relatable quality likely endured Trump to many working-class Americans who were tired of career politicians with gustatory tastes more inclusive of items that many folks cannot even pronounce.
A forum with constituents centered around an informal meal of burgers and fries could further boost an image of authenticity as well as a connection with everyday Americans. It would also reflect the Trump personality, which is built on iconoclastic American branding.
“Big Macs with the Big Man,” which is no more absurd a title than the megabill titled “Big Beautiful Bill,” would prove a novel approach to constituent outreach, and could, in time, meaningfully boost Trump’s approval ratings.
Such an event could be held in the East Room of the White House, which holds up to 130 people. It could be a first-come, first-serve type of deal, and televised, but with the option of allowing a certain number of questions and comments via Zoom, or emails in advance.
The image of President Trump seated at a table stacked with Big Macs and surrounded by working-class voters is instantly relatable and symbolically powerful to the common, everyday American taxpayer. Unlike traditional political events that often feel scripted or distant, a McDonald’s town hall would be disarmingly casual. It would allow Trump to appear accessible, down-to-earth, and comfortable in his own skin—qualities that resonate strongly with his base and even with voters who might not be a part of that base, yet appreciate straight talk over political polish.
Trump’s supporters have always valued his rejection of political elitism. Sitting down with voters over fast food would underline his rejection of the “Washington insider” image and reinforce his alignment with average Americans. It’s hard to be accused of being out of touch when you’re sharing fries with a prison guard from Deep East Texas or a schoolteacher from Pennsylvania. This type of setting invites candid conversation and unscripted moments—exactly the kind of environment where Trump thrives and where voters feel heard rather than lectured.
Moreover, such an event would generate media attention far beyond the usual political coverage. Images and soundbites from a hamburger-fueled Q&A session would go viral, humanizing Trump and reminding voters of his humor and charisma. The forum would also provide an opportunity to address concerns directly, clarify policy positions, and emphasize his priorities in a setting that feels honest and personal.
In an age where authenticity is valued more than ever, a hamburger town hall could cut through the noise of partisan attacks and policy minutiae. It’s simple, visual, and unforgettable—and it would remind voters of the Trump brand: bold, unconventional, and unapologetically American.
By merging policy with personality over a meal that symbolizes everyday life, Trump could reaffirm his connection to the people who matter most in an election: the voters. All it would take is a table, a buffet of Big Macs, and a willingness to listen.
