The Strange Thing Kamala Harris Couldn't Do While Working In The White House

It's no surprise that when you become president of the United States, you are expected to behave a certain way. And it's not just the commander in chief; there is a long list of things that the first lady cannot do in the White House, as well as rules that presidential kids must follow. These directives also extend to the vice president and their family.

Although VPs reside in the United States Naval Observatory, they spend a significant amount of time at the White House working, and unfortunately, they're limited in what they can eat during those late nights. During a June 2023 appearance on "Baby, This is Keke Palmer," host Keke Palmer asked then-Vice President Kamala Harris, "How often do you Uber Eats dinner to the White House?" The answer was never. "No, but we can't," Harris said. "For security reasons, I can't have deliveries." (She also spoke about how she enjoys cooking, even if her VP schedule made it difficult to do often.) This checks out, considering some of Harris's dietary choices. She reportedly kicks off the day with Raisin Bran, then follows it up with curd rice and, later, gumbo over rice. 

When you're in a high-power position in the White House, your safety is paramount. Harris being barred from ordering takeout was just one way to keep her safe as every meal and delivery driver who entered the White House posed a national security risk.

Some White House officials have reportedly taken their food safety to even more extreme measures. Former presidents Barack Obama and Ronald Reagan were both rumored to have had taste testers during their terms. While former officials probably all longed for the freedom to just order up a pizza and devour it without it going through a security check, they took the rules seriously. But not everyone in power follows these rules, and some find ways around them. While President Donald Trump likely doesn't open up his Uber Eats app every night for dinner, he has found ways to get takeout into the Oval Office.

What President Trump reportedly eats in a day usually involves fast food — and there's no evidence that he changed his diet after being reelected in 2024. Trump's infamous McDonald's order consists of two Big Macs, two Filet-O-Fish sandwiches, and a chocolate milkshake. Besides being a less-than-nutritious choice, it poses an additional safety threat as now the Secret Service has to obtain this food and then clear it for him. 

It's unclear how often his security detail is dispatched to the Golden Arches restaurant chain, but in 2019, when the North Dakota State football team visited the White House to celebrate their national title, Trump treated them to a large spread of McDonald's and Chick-fil-A sandwiches. Months prior, he did the same for the Clemson football team and had even more choices of fast food. Furthermore, during his civil fraud trial in New York in October 2023, six bags of McDonald's were delivered to the courthouse. While Kamala Harris went without takeout in the name of security, it seems Trump's fast food obsession could be giving the Secret Service an extra headache.