Donald Trump’s political career has always been more about showmanship than substance. Now, with the election just days away, his latest stunts raise an important question: can you win a campaign without substance? Critics have focused on Kamala Harris’s supposed lack of policy specifics, yet Trump’s platform offers even less. His economic plan has been widely panned by economists, and his recent interview with Bloomberg Editor-in-Chief, John Micklethwait, at the Economic Club of Chicago showcased just how shallow his understanding of key issues really is.

If Harris is criticized for not having policies, what does it say when Trump’s plans barely rise above the level of a McDonald’s drive-thru stunt?

This was evident in Trump’s McDonald’s stunt in Buck’s County, Pennsylvania, claiming to know the menu better than anyone. It was classic Trump — performative and utterly devoid of substance. The kicker? The restaurant was actually shut down for the event, likely sending most of its staff home without pay just so the spectacle could unfold, and customers cleared. When the topic of raising the minimum wage came up, Trump dodged it entirely, refusing to engage in a conversation that directly affects employees at places like McDonald’s — a kick in the gut to the very workers his stunt pretended to support. Trump showed up with a smile and fries — no policy solutions in sight. Many McDonald’s employees went online, to highlight just how out of touch he appeared. Yet somehow, this fast-food theater has become part of his brand, one that thrives on spectacle over meaningful action.

This empty display reflects Trump’s economic proposals. He’s marketed himself as a business genius, yet his plan resembles a McDonald’s value menu — predictable, unhealthy, and leaving you hungry for more. His proposals focus on tax cuts for the wealthy and vague promises to ‘bring jobs back,’ which economists criticize for lacking depth to tackle systemic issues. Meanwhile, 23 Nobel Prize-winning economists endorse Harris’s plan as “vastly superior,” noting it would “improve our nation’s health,” while warning that Trump’s tariffs and regressive tax cuts would only “drive up prices, increase deficits, and widen inequality.” It’s a hollow promise that looks good on the menu but ultimately fails to satisfy.

And speaking of empty promises, let’s talk about Trump’s interview with Micklethwait. For anyone hoping to hear detailed plans about how Trump might lead the country if reelected, it was a colossal letdown. He frequently interrupted, insisting that Micklethwait was “wrong” rather than offering any factual counterpoints. When Micklethwait confronted him with estimates by the conservative Wall Street Journal suggesting that Trump’s policies could increase the federal deficit by at least $7.5 billion, Trump aimed to assert dominance, not provide substance. He seemed to believe that by simply declaring himself right, he could make it so. But repeating something doesn’t make something real.

It’s important to stay grounded in reality. A year ago, predictions of a recession loomed large, yet here we are, recession free. In the third quarter of 2024, the U.S. economy grew at an annualized rate of 2.8%. Unemployment remains low and I’ve seen gas as low as $2.78 this week in Augusta! No, it’s not pandemic-cheap, but let’s be honest — back then, we were all homebound, and gas stations were practically begging us to take a drive. Today, we’re back to work, on the roads, and while groceries are still pricey, the broader economy doesn’t exactly scream crisis. Yet, in Trump’s world, it’s as if the economy is teetering on the edge of disaster. The reality? The facts just don’t back it up. The economy is stable. But Trump seems to be counting on the idea that “average Joe” or “Joan” aren’t paying attention. Well, I am.

Contrast this with the complaints often leveled at Kamala Harris. Critics suggest she lacks the gravitas needed to tackle complex issues, clamoring “We need policies!” Harris has policies. Over time, her campaign website has added more details, including specific plans to cut taxes, affordable housing, health care reform and more. It’s extensive. Take a look. Trump, by comparison, only lists the 2024 Republican Party platform bullet points on his campaign site. Without details on how he’d implement these general ideas, one might wonder — is there a plan?

With Election Day just around the corner, we need to ask: Do we want someone who can entertain us with one-liners, or a leader who offers substance and direction? It’s easy to get swept up in the spectacle of Trump’s rallies, the fast-food stops, and the red hats, but governing is about more than theatrics.

So, as Trump makes his final pitches before Tuesday, remember to look beyond the performance. Because when the ballots are counted, and it’s time to lead, we’re going to need more than just fries with that.