McDonald’s announces sales dropped due to Trump tariffs; X users issue supersized reality check

McDonald’s announced a sales drop in its first quarter earnings report, suggesting that it was “driven largely” by President Donald Trump’s tariffs.

“The burger chain’s same-store sales in the U.S. declined 3.6% in the first quarter, reflecting economic pressures weighing on low- and middle-income consumers in particular,” CBS News reported. “McDonald’s said on its earnings call. That marks the biggest U.S. decline for the company since the COVID-19 pandemic forced stores to close nationwide.”

McDonald’s CEO Chris Kempczinski said on a call that “we’re not immune to the volatility in the industry or the pressures that our consumers are facing.”

He noted that tariffs and other factors have created a “heightened anxiety” about the economy, though social media users had some thoughts about his claims made on the first quarter earnings call last week.

High prices and poor food quality led to a drop in sales. I fixed your headline.

— Tyler Thompson (@TylerThompsonAZ) May 4, 2025

Kempczinski said that “geopolitical tensions added to the economic uncertainty and dampened consumer sentiment more than we expected.”

“We remain cautious about the overall health of the consumer,” he added.

“McDonald’s is also seeing worsening pullback in spending from low-income consumers, which is down nearly double digits versus a year ago,” CNN reported. “And, unlike a few months ago, spending from middle-income consumers also ‘fell nearly as much, a clear indication that the economic pressure on traffic has broadened.’”

But on social media, X users delivered a reality check over suggestions that Trump and his tariffs have created the sales drop McDonald’s is experiencing.

Food and service went through the floor and prices went sky high several years ago— that’s why nobody’s eating McDonald’s poison

— Carson Krow (@carsonkrow) May 4, 2025

I think people finally woke up to food quality there

— Native Texan (@KeathaB) May 4, 2025

Minimum Wage = $75.00 McDonald’s

— Woodskiff16 (@woodskiff16) May 4, 2025

MAHA

— TexasCindy (@cindytexas23) May 4, 2025

McDonald’s is $10-$15 for a meal, all the workers are hiding in the back while you order off of a kiosk, and you have to ask them for ketchup and a napkin. If you order fries, the ketchup should be automatic. Everything on the dollar menu is now $2-3 plus.

McDonald’s still…

— urban myths, legends (@urbanmyths) May 4, 2025

Make something worth eating. Innovate

— Chris (@j_christoffer4) May 4, 2025

“Diminished consumer sentiment” aka, man this stuff is expensive for how gross it is…

— The Spector (@thee_spector) May 4, 2025

Maybe nobody wants to pay 17 bucks for a mediocre product….

— evil von (@EvilAtl404pun) May 4, 2025

Senior Staff Writer
[email protected]

Originally from New York, Powers graduated from New York University and eventually made her way to sunny South Florida where she has been writing for the BizPacReview team since 2015.

Latest posts by Frieda Powers (see all)

We have no tolerance for comments containing violence, racism, profanity, vulgarity, doxing, or discourteous behavior. If a comment is spam, instead of replying to it please click the ∨ icon below and to the right of that comment. Thank you for partnering with us to maintain fruitful conversation.