Kate Laurensen is a veteran reporter. She started out covering entertainment news for the local city paper before moving up to the City desk. She studied journalism at San Francisco City College for the Arts.
April 18 , 2025
Washington, D.C. — On Good Friday, April 18, 2025, President Donald Trump marked the solemn Catholic observance with a gesture that combined tradition and his well-known affinity for fast food. In a move reflecting both his personal tastes and his administration’s ongoing efforts to honor religious observances, Trump ordered McDonald’s Filet-O-Fish sandwiches for the entire White House staff.
The occasion was part of a broader Holy Week celebration at the White House, which included a series of religious events and services. Earlier in the week, Trump had publicly acknowledged the significance of Jesus Christ’s crucifixion and resurrection, emphasizing themes of redemption and hope for eternal life. He called for prayers for the nation and underscored the importance of religious liberty in America.
Jennifer Korn, director of the White House Faith Office, explained that the administration aimed to ensure Holy Week was observed with appropriate reverence and engagement with America’s Catholic heritage. The week featured a dinner and prayer service on Wednesday, followed by a worship service on Holy Thursday.
Trump’s choice to serve McDonald’s Filet-O-Fish on Good Friday aligns with his longstanding preference for fast food, particularly McDonald’s, which he has praised for its cleanliness and consistency. During his previous administration and campaign periods, Trump was known to favor McDonald’s sandwiches, including the Filet-O-Fish, Big Macs, and chocolate shakes. This preference has been noted as partly stemming from a fear of food poisoning, with fast food’s standardized preparation offering a sense of safety.
The Filet-O-Fish, a fish sandwich traditionally associated with Good Friday meals among many Catholics who abstain from meat, was a symbolic and practical choice for the day. Serving it to the White House staff not only honored the religious significance of the day but also reflected Trump’s personal brand and approach to hospitality within the executive residence.
This gesture followed a pattern of Trump’s informal catering choices for White House events, including previous occasions when fast food was served to visiting sports teams and staff during government furloughs. However, the Good Friday meal was distinct in its religious symbolism and timing within the Holy Week observances.
The White House Faith Office, established by Trump in early 2025 to promote religious liberty and inclusion in public policy, played a key role in coordinating the week’s events. The office’s creation marked a historic effort to integrate faith more visibly within the executive branch’s activities.
As the nation prepares for Easter Sunday, the White House’s Holy Week celebrations, culminating with the Good Friday Filet-O-Fish meal, underscore the administration’s commitment to honoring Christian traditions while reflecting the president’s personal tastes and experiences.
This combination of solemn observance and informal dining highlights the unique character of the 2025 Holy Week at the White House under President Trump’s leadership.
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