Olivia Asher is a reporter at the New Herald Tribune covering breaking news for the Digital Trends Desk. Before joining the newsroom in 2022, she covered criminal justice issues at the Orlando Plain Dealer.
May 14 , 2026
Beijing — During an official visit to China on Wednesday, U.S. President Donald Trump made an unexpected stop at a local McDonald’s restaurant, drawing attention from onlookers and media traveling with the delegation.
The presidential motorcade, en route from Beijing Capital International Airport to the site of a scheduled diplomatic summit, briefly diverted to the fast-food location in the city’s Chaoyang District. According to aides, the stop was not listed on the public itinerary.
Trump entered the restaurant accompanied by security personnel and a small group of advisors. Witnesses reported that he ordered a standard meal and spent several minutes interacting with staff and customers before departing.
Speaking to reporters afterward, Trump praised the experience, stating that the food quality “was even better than in America.” He added that the visit highlighted what he described as “the global strength of American brands.”
The visit comes amid ongoing diplomatic discussions between U.S. and Chinese officials on trade and economic cooperation. While the McDonald’s stop was informal and unrelated to official proceedings, it quickly became a focal point of media coverage surrounding the trip.
Chinese social media platforms showed a surge in posts referencing the visit, with users sharing photos and videos taken during the brief appearance. McDonald’s China did not immediately release a statement but later reposted several images of the visit on its official account.
The motorcade resumed its route shortly afterward, arriving at the summit venue without further interruption. Formal talks between U.S. and Chinese representatives are expected to continue through the week.
Copyright © 2026. All rights reserved.