Donald Trump has sparked a new controversy by accusing Vice President Kamala Harris of lying about her past job at McDonald’s, a claim she has used to portray her modest upbringing.

The accusation, made during a speech at the Moms for Liberty convention in Washington, has led to increased scrutiny of Harris's biography, particularly regarding her employment history, which she has said included a stint working for the fast-food chain, as the Daily Mail reports.

Trump Questions Harris's Claims About McDonald's Job

While speaking at the Moms for Liberty convention in Washington on a recent Friday, former President Donald Trump accused Vice President Kamala Harris of fabricating a story about her past job at McDonald's. Trump’s remarks have since ignited a broader conversation about the authenticity of Harris’s claims.

Trump asserted that Harris’s story was untrue, saying, "She also said, 'I worked at McDonald's.' Turned out she didn't work at McDonald's." His comments have added fuel to a growing fire of skepticism surrounding Harris's biographical narrative.

Harris first shared the story of her McDonald’s job during her presidential campaign in 2019. She mentioned it while speaking at a labor rally in Las Vegas, where she highlighted her work at a McDonald’s franchise in the California Bay Area. According to Harris, she performed tasks such as handling the fryer and working as a cashier during her time as a student.

Harris Reiterates Her Story on National Television

Harris reiterated her claim during an appearance on The Drew Barrymore Show in April of this year. On the show, Harris confirmed, "I did. Yes, I did work at McDonald's. When I was at school... I did fries. And then I did the cashier."

This detail about her life was intended to demonstrate her down-to-earth background and connect with voters who have similar work experiences. However, the story has drawn criticism and questions about its accuracy.

Critics have pointed out that Harris did not mention her time at McDonald’s in either of her two memoirs or during her earlier political career. This omission has led some to question the truthfulness of her claim.

Critics Highlight Inconsistencies in Harris’s Story

Dan Morain, the author of Kamala's Way: An American Life, expressed his surprise at Harris's claim, stating, "I was not aware'of her work at the fast food restaurant." This has further fueled speculation that the story may have been embellished for political purposes.

Adding to the skepticism, Harris did not include her time at McDonald’s on her job application for a law clerk position in the Alameda County district attorney's office. This detail, or lack thereof, has prompted critics to question why she did not previously emphasize this job if it were a significant part of her life story.

Harris's campaign has leaned on the McDonald’s narrative to project her as having a humble, middle-class background. However, the omission of this detail in previous records has made some wonder if it was strategically included later for political gain.

Harris’s Campaign Responds to the Controversy

In response to the controversy, Harris's campaign spokeswoman, Lauren Hitt, reaffirmed the claim earlier this month. She stated that Harris was "the daughter of a working mother and worked at a McDonald's to put herself through college."

Hitt's statement is part of the campaign's effort to counter the growing doubts surrounding Harris's narrative. The campaign has emphasized Harris's working-class roots, contrasting her upbringing with that of Donald Trump’s, who was born into wealth.

At a campaign event with Gov. Tim Walz, Harris again emphasized her humble beginnings. Walz highlighted Harris’s story, asking the crowd to imagine Trump working at McDonald’s, which he described as an unlikely scenario.

Questions Remain as Campaigns Move Forward

The scrutiny over Harris's McDonald’s story is likely to continue as the election cycle progresses. The tale of her fast-food job, intended to showcase her relatable background, now faces the challenge of credibility in the eyes of some voters.

While Harris's story aims to draw a sharp contrast with Trump’s affluent background, the ongoing debate over its authenticity raises questions about how much voters value the personal narratives of their candidates. As both sides continue to spar over the issue, it remains to be seen whether this controversy will have any lasting impact on the campaign.

In summary, the controversy surrounding Kamala Harris's claim about working at McDonald's has raised questions about her biography, and Donald Trump's accusations have only intensified the scrutiny.

As the election approaches, the debate over the authenticity of personal narratives could play a significant role in shaping voter opinions.