During this election cycle, a notable contrast emerged between the campaign food preferences of Donald Trump and Kamala Harris. While Trump's campaign in Michigan indulged in a plethora of pizza, Harris's team favored BBQ and pub fare. Campaign finance records vividly showcase these differences, revealing a diverse range of food choices that mirror the candidates they represent.

Uncover the Campaign Food Tales of Trump and Harris

Pizza and Trump's Michigan Campaign

When Donald Trump's campaign visited Michigan, staffers and supporters feasted on pizza. Pizza Parliament, a food truck service based in Zeeland, emerged as the top vendor, with six significant orders totaling a substantial amount. Their pepperoni pizza was dubbed "bi-partisan," and a three-cheese offering was called "majority leader." Even at a manufacturing facility on the west side of the state in September 2023, Pizza Parliament sold $5,100 worth of pizzas. Owner Justin Gunnink recalled catering one of their rallies, which was attended by around 400 - 500 people. The Trump campaign also made 17 runs to Domino's Pizza in Michigan, totaling nearly $1,700. Little Caesars got 16 runs, costing $510, and Enzo's Pizzeria in Grand Blanc landed a $451 order. Trump even delivered Green Lantern pies to volunteers in the Roseville campaign office.However, it can be challenging to precisely determine the exact amount spent on certain foods as the reports encompass multiple food-related categories. Some are listed as catering events, while others are for reimbursing staff meals or part of lodging costs.

BBQ and Harris's Michigan Campaign

When Kamala Harris's people came to Michigan, they preferred BBQ and pub fare. In May, when Biden was still the expected Democratic nominee, the campaign launched the "BBQs for Biden-Harris" initiative. King of Ribs and Soul Food, a food truck service based in Belleville, catered two events and became the campaign's largest Michigan food vendor, being paid $9,345. Walker's Traveling BBQ in Pontiac catered two fundraising events in June and billed $3,151. Baldwin Smokehouse BBQ in Saginaw, PBJS BBQ in Jackson, and Skinny Kenny's BBQ in Kalamazoo also worked for the Biden-Harris campaign. In Detroit's Rivertown district, the CRED Café & Speakeasy landed two events from the campaign, including a watch party for a Harris interview, billing $7,800. Harper Woods-based Motown Dawg Slingers, a gourmet sausage vendor, also received more than $4,400 in business.

National Food Expenses

On a national level, the Trump campaign's most common food vendor was McDonald's, with 153 visits totaling more than $41,000. Chick-fil-A, Jimmy John's, and Dunkin were the next most frequent food vendors. Some food was more high-end, with two food expenses at the Mar-A-Lago Club in Palm Beach, Florida, owned by Trump, totaling $11,484, and two more at his Trump National Golf Club in Bedminster, New Jersey, totaling $6,581.For the Harris campaign, when it was running with Joe Biden and later as the top candidate, it seemed to expense far less on fast food compared to the Republican counterparts. It expensed 21 visits to Chipotle totaling $11,542 and 11 trips to Panera totaling $9,015. The Harris campaign was headquartered in Wilmington, Delaware, where Biden lives, and Dimeo's Pizza there was a frequent stop, with 24 visits totaling more than $15,000. They also made four runs to Domino's Pizza, spending $2,042.These campaign food choices not only showcase different preferences but also provide insights into the campaigns and their operations on the ground.