Dayton, OH — It seems Hardee’s has decided it’s time for a new kind of limited-edition special, one that taps into the deep well of American nostalgia and appetite. Enter the Mega MAGA Burger, a $2.99 stack of six beef patties and enough melted cheese to cause dairy shortages throughout the Midwest.
While Hardee’s hasn’t explicitly stated any political motivations, the timing and branding speak for themselves. Adorned with paper that elegantly blends excerpts from the Constitution with a tasteful smattering of Bible verses, the burger embodies a certain brand of patriotism that’s more familiar than surprising.
“We want our customers to remember what makes this country special: hearty meals, great deals, and no frills,” said Hardee’s spokesperson Bethany Millbright.
Adding fuel to the grill, Donald Trump himself made an unannounced stop at a Dayton, OH, Hardee’s to kick off the burger’s launch. In true spectacle fashion, he emerged to cheers, posing for photos with the towering creation. Between bites, he was overheard quipping.
“Now this is what winning looks like,” sending a ripple of grins through the crowd. Cameras flashed, burgers were devoured, and somewhere, a nutritionist is clutching her kale salad.
Marketed as a throwback to the days when $2.99 could actually buy something filling, the Mega MAGA Burger is already drawing crowds.
“It’s exactly what we’ve been waiting for,” said Chet Wompler, a Dayton local whose stars-and-stripes button-down strained against the patriotic curve of his belly. “It’s bold, it’s classic, and it’s unapologetic.”
Fast-food analysts note that Hardee’s is taking the classic play from the corporate handbook: don’t take sides, but ensure a demographic or two feels specially catered to. In this case, it’s not hard to see the burger’s appeal to those who long for a taste of familiarity, whether that’s in the form of a nostalgic price or a sandwich that towers over any diet plan.
The Mega MAGA Burger will be available for a limited time. As one poster in the restaurant’s window reads, “For those who hunger for the way things were.” Just don’t be surprised if some say it tastes like victory.
