Mobile McDonald's is brought in especially for Big Mac-loving Trump during Middle East tour
US President Donald Trump is well-known for his love of McDonald's, with Big Macs and the Fillet-O-Fish proving particular favourites for the 78-year-old.
It was no wonder, then, that Saudi Arabia rolled out a special mobile fast food truck for the visiting President as part of a charm offensive.
A White House official confirmed that a mobile McDonald's food truck was in Riyadh as Trump kicked off his landmark tour of the Middle East.
Footage posted by i24 journalist Mordechai Wagenheim shows the double-staircase trailer branded both in Arabic and English.
It was parked outside a media hub called 'Media Oasis,' where journalists were hosted amid video screens showcasing Saudi mega-projects like the futuristic NEOM city and the upcoming 2034 FIFA World Cup.
Trump's long-standing relationship with the fast food giant is well documented.
Former White House senior adviser Jared Kushner said that he requested one of his favourite meals during his battle with COVID-19 in 2020.
'I knew he was feeling better when he requested one of his favorite meals: a McDonald's Big Mac, Filet-o-Fish, fries and a vanilla shake,' he said.
His campaign diet in 2016, meanwhile, usually involved an 1,880 calorie order featuring two Big Macs, two Filet-O-Fish sandwiches, and a chocolate milkshake, according to ex-campaign manager Corey Lewandowski.
During a visit to the battleground state of Pennsylvania before last year's election, he donned a McDonald's apron and worked the fryer at a branch in Feasterville-Trevose.
As he entered the establishment, he said: 'Hello, everybody. It's my first day at McDonald's. I'm looking for a job.'
He also worked the drive-thru window during his McDonald's shift, greeting customers and vowing that he would make the U.S. 'better than ever' if re-elected to the Oval Office.
In 2019, he served McDonald's burgers to welcome Clemson University's football team following their win over Alabama in the College Football Playoff National Championship.
'We have some very large people that like eating,' he said at the event.
'So I think we're going to have a little fun. If it's American, I like it. It's all American stuff.'
The US President is said to be concerned about being poisoned, and believes fast food offered consistency and safety through standardised preparation on the road.
Trump's reception was filled with symbolic detail as it appeared Saudi officials were keen to impress the US President.
American and Saudi flags fluttered throughout the capital, and an all-American fleet of police vehicles formed a visible security perimeter around key sites.
He was also greeted on the tarmac as he got off the plane by the Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman himself.
However, he looked unsure after being handed coffee by attendants wearing ceremonial gun-belts during a sit-down with the Crown Prince.
His four day trip, which started on Tuesday, will see Trump visit Qatar and the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
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