President Donald Trump treated the Clemson Tigers football team to fast food during their celebratory visit to the White House.
The Clemson Tigers were treated to burgers, pizza and salads from some of the country’s biggest fast-food chains on Monday night.
“I think we’re going to serve McDonald’s, Wendy’s, and Burger Kings with some pizza,” Trump told reporters on Monday. “I really mean it. It’ll be interesting.”
Trump, who claimed that he was worth $10 billion, but whose net worth is actually $3.1 billion, said that he paid for the meals himself due in part to the government shutdown, which has entered a record 24th day.
“So, I had a choice,” Trump told the Tigers during dinner. “Do we have no food for you? Because we have a shutdown. Or do we give you some little, quick salads that the first lady will make? I said, you guys aren’t into salads.”
Trump and Democratic leadership have not been able to come up with a deal that would reopen the government. Trump has signaled that he would not sign any legislation that does not include $5 billion in funding for a wall at the southern border.
Around 800,000 federal employees are impacted by the shutdown, some have been furloughed, while others have to work, but without pay.
“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,” the White House told Business Insider in a statement.
Trump told reporters that there were “great American food” at the event and that there were around 300 hamburgers. He later went on Twitter and said there were around “1000
Social media users poked fun at the president for serving the Clemson football team hamburgers and pizza in the White House.
Clemson’s football team defeated the University of Alabama’s Crimson Tide at the College Football Playoff National Championship last week.
