The Truth About Burger King's 'Trump Burger'
Ronald Reagan loved Hollywood. John F. Kennedy probably loved Marilyn Monroe. Donald Trump loves fast food, and particularly, hamburgers. You know it. We know it. Burger King knows it, too.
You'll remember the time when Donald Trump tweeted that he ordered 1,000 Burger King "hamberders" for the Clemson University Tigers. Burger King cheekily tweeted back, "Due to a large order placed yesterday, we're all out of hamberders. Just serving hamburgers today" (via Bloomberg). You may have even retweeted their tweet. Over 100,000 people did.
It wasn't the first time that Trump's love for hamburgers gave Burger King an opportunity to put itself in the spotlight. After Trump won the 2016 election, Burger King Russia stirred up controversy with a celebratory "Trump Burger" (via Sputnik News). The burger, undoubtedly part of Burger King's strategy to up sales via seasonal marketing gimmicks, was basically Burger King's "Angriest Whopper." The only difference? You couldn't order it with Mexican sauces. (We didn't go there. Burger King did). What was in the burger? Beef, bacon, American cheese, lettuce, tomatoes, onions, jalapeños, mayonnaise, spicy sauce, and a hot-sauce infused, red bun (via Time).
Trump, of course, prefers his burgers in the form of a simple McDonald's Quarter Pounder with cheese, extra ketchup, and no pickles (via Cheat Sheet). So while the president himself may not have been a fan of the Trump Burger, maybe that was the point? As one reviewer observed, the Angriest Whopper was designed to "make your guts angrier than usual" (via AV Club). We're sure the Trump Burger was, too.
Did Burger King's 'Trump Burger' set off a global trend?
Since its 2016 debut, we haven't heard much else about Burger King's Trump Burger. That doesn't mean it didn't make a lasting impression. In fact, Burger King seems to have set off a Trump Burger frenzy. You can now order Trump Burgers on most continents on Earth.
We've gathered some of our favorites. If you happen to be in Des Moines, Iowa, head to Zombie Burger, where you can order their version of the "Trump," or "The Greatest, Most Delicious Burger in the History of the World" (via Delish). (Again, we didn't go there. Zombie Burger did.) What's in it? Braised short rib, demi, truffle mayo, and a Parmesan crisp.
If you're in England, head to Burgers & More, where you can dig into their "Trump." Burger & More's burger is truly decadent: It comes with a donut, strawberry jam, maple syrup, and custard.
In Japan, look for BLT Japan. Its gourmet "Trump Burger" includes filet mignon patty, foie grass, and golden apple compote. When the restaurant started serving the premium burger, which cost about double what it charged for others on its menu, it only offered three a day (via Japan Times).
But maybe you're itching for Burger King to come out with a Trump Burger, again? In that case, you'll have to wait for election night 2020. You might get lucky.