Donald Trump’s eating habits have often been a topic of discussion, marked by some distinctive and perhaps surprising choices. While he reportedly avoids alcohol, coffee, and the bread crust of pizza, Trump has been quite open about his fondness for Diet Coke, fast food, and cherry-vanilla ice cream. So, what is Donald Trump’s favorite food? Let’s explore the culinary landscape of the 45th President of the United States.
Breakfast of Champions (Sometimes): Bacon and Eggs
Trump isn’t always a breakfast person, reportedly skipping the morning meal often. However, when he does indulge in breakfast, bacon and eggs are his go-to choice. In a 2015 interview with People, he specified his preference for “bacon medium and the eggs over-well.”
Image alt text: A close-up shot of a plate featuring crispy bacon strips and two over-well fried eggs, showcasing a classic American breakfast.
McDonald’s: A Campaign Trail Staple
During the 2016 presidential campaign, Trump frequently relied on fast food for a quick energy boost. McDonald’s, in particular, was a favorite. Politico reported that a former bodyguard would often make a run to a McDonald’s near the Marine Air Terminal in Queens to pick up Egg McMuffins for him.
Image alt text: A single Egg McMuffin sandwich on display at a McDonald’s restaurant, highlighting its classic ingredients.
Cereal: “Made in the USA”
Trump expressed his preference for patriotic cereals during an interview with Fox News’ Jesse Watters while campaigning in Iowa in 2016. He emphasized the importance of American-made cereals, stating, “Made in the USA, has to be made in the USA. You know, the cornflake-type stuff, Raisin Bran. Has to be right out of the fields of Iowa.”
Image alt text: A variety of cereal boxes, including cornflakes, displayed on a shelf in a grocery store.
Diet Coke: The Constant Companion
Since Trump abstains from coffee, tea, and alcohol, Diet Coke has become his beverage of choice. The New York Times reported that he consumes approximately a dozen Diet Cokes each day. He’s even been known to forgo traditional toasts with wine or champagne in favor of a glass of Diet Coke. It’s been reported that Trump has a “little red button” in the Resolute Desk that summons a butler with a fresh Diet Coke.
Image alt text: A waiter carefully pours Diet Coke into a glass for President Donald Trump at the United Nations.
Well-Done Steak: “It Would Rock on the Plate”
Anthony Senecal, Trump’s longtime butler, revealed to The New York Times that the president prefers his steak cooked to a crisp, so well done that “it would rock on the plate.”
Image alt text: An overhead shot of a well-done steak, cooked to a dark brown, served on a white plate.
KFC: A Fast Food Favorite
Trump’s fondness for fast food is well-documented, so it came as no surprise when he tweeted a photo of himself with a bucket of KFC during the 2016 presidential campaign.
Image alt text: Donald Trump smiling next to a bucket of KFC fried chicken.
Meatloaf: A Birthday Tradition
Trump shared with US Weekly in 2010 that his older sister, Maryanne, makes meatloaf for him on his birthday. The dish even made an appearance on Martha Stewart’s cooking show in 2005, where Donald and Melania Trump demonstrated how to make “Meatloaf with The Donald.”
Image alt text: A slice of homemade meatloaf, served with a side of mashed potatoes and gravy, on a white plate.
Seafood: Beyond Red Meat
While known for his love of red meat, Trump also reportedly enjoys crab and shrimp.
Image alt text: An assortment of seafood, including stone crab claws and shrimp, served at Joe’s Stone Crab restaurant in Miami Beach.
McDonald’s (Again): A 2,430-Calorie Order
According to former campaign aides, Trump’s typical McDonald’s order consists of a 2,430-calorie feast: two Big Macs, two Filet-o-Fish sandwiches, and a large chocolate shake. A former aide told Politico that Trump would often order “two quarter-pounders and a large fries” during the 2016 campaign. Trump’s affinity for McDonald’s and fast food, in general, may stem from a fear of being poisoned, as a former aide suggested. He has also stated that he trusts the cleanliness standards of fast-food chains.
Image alt text: The exterior of a McDonald’s restaurant, with its iconic golden arches.
Pizza (Without the Crust): A Unique Preference
Former top Trump aides Corey Lewandowski and David Bossie wrote in their book about the 2016 campaign that “On Trump Force One there were four major food groups: McDonald’s, Kentucky Fried Chicken, pizza and Diet Coke.” Although Trump famously starred in a Pizza Hut stuffed crust commercial in 1995, he has said in the past he doesn’t eat the crust.
Image alt text: A close-up of a slice of pepperoni pizza, showcasing the melted cheese and toppings.
Trump Grill Taco Bowl: A Controversial Choice
Trump chose the taco bowl from the Trump Grill menu for his infamous 2016 tweet on Cinco de Mayo, declaring, “I love Hispanics!” However, Business Insider’s Kate Taylor and Hollis Johnson criticized the $19 dish, stating that it felt like being “bamboozled into paying more than twice as much for something that Qdoba does better.”
Image alt text: A taco bowl at Trump Tower, featuring ground beef, lettuce, tomatoes, cheese, and sour cream in a fried tortilla bowl.
Lay’s Potato Chips: A White House Staple
The New York Times reported in January 2017 that Lay’s potato chips were a constant presence in the White House kitchen.
Image alt text: A display of Lay’s potato chips in various flavors at a store.
Keebler Vienna Fingers and Oreos: Plane Snacks
In the book “Let Trump Be Trump,” former Trump campaign aides wrote that Trump kept Oreos and vanilla Vienna Fingers by Keebler on hand as snacks during plane trips.
Image alt text: Packages of Vienna Fingers and Oreos are displayed on a shelf in a New York delicatessen.
See’s Candies: A Sweet Spot
Trump has previously expressed his fondness for sweet treats from See’s Candies.
Image alt text: The front of a See’s Candies store, showing the company’s branding.
Cherry-Vanilla Ice Cream: A Presidential Favorite
Trump told US Weekly in 2010 that cherry-vanilla was his favorite ice cream flavor, and it was even featured on the menu for his inauguration celebration dinner. Time reported that Trump received “two scoops of vanilla ice cream with his chocolate cream pie, instead of the single scoop for everyone else.”
Image alt text: An employee filling a container with cherry ice cream at an ice cream factory.
Chocolate Cake: A Dessert Diplomacy Moment
Trump recounted telling Chinese President Xi Jinping about the April 2017 US strike on Syria over chocolate cake at his Mar-a-Lago resort in Florida. “We’re now having dessert. And we had the most beautiful piece of chocolate cake that you’ve ever seen and President Xi was enjoying it,” Trump told Fox Business host Maria Bartiromo.
Image alt text: A slice of rich chocolate cake on a white plate.
Conclusion: A Palate for the People?
While it’s difficult to definitively pinpoint the single “favorite food,” it’s clear that Donald Trump has a penchant for fast food, well-done steak, and sweets. His preferences, often perceived as unconventional for a president, resonated with many Americans and offered a glimpse into his personal tastes. Whether it’s the accessibility of McDonald’s or the comfort of cherry-vanilla ice cream, Trump’s culinary choices undoubtedly contributed to his public image.
