McDonald’s is facing a conservative-led boycott after reports surfaced that the fast-food chain donated $500,000 to Xavier Becerra, a Democratic candidate running for governor of California. Becerra has also received large contributions from Chevron, Meta, and Uber, drawing scrutiny from multiple directions.
The backlash spread quickly on social media platform X, where users criticized the company for backing a candidate they described as socialist. “Any corporation DUMB enough to support Marxist Socialist candidates, isn’t any company I want to support,” one MAGA-aligned user wrote. Another user, Michael Hawk, posted simply, “Bye McDonald’s. Thank you for finally giving the last push I needed to never go back.”
Social Media Anger Targets McDonald’s Political Giving
Several users on X connected the donation to McDonald’s participation in California’s Restaurant Meal Program, which allows certain franchise locations to accept EBT and SNAP benefits. One commenter argued the arrangement already gives McDonald’s a revenue boost from government transfers, making the political donation all the more controversial. “@McDonald’s should stay out of politics. Their food is garbage anyway, and now they have decided to alienate their customer base,” user BruceH wrote.
User Clayton directed a pointed message at the company’s account: “@McDonalds Just wondering, are you planning to donate money to any more leftists’ election campaigns? Asking so I have even more reasons to boycott you!” The comments reflect broader frustration among conservative consumers who have increasingly called out corporations for political spending that conflicts with their values. You can follow McDonald’s Becerra donation controversy as it continues to develop.
Grieving Parents Call Becerra a Hypocrite Over Meta Money
The controversy around Becerra’s fundraising is not limited to conservatives. According to a New York Post report, parents who lost children due to social media addiction are publicly condemning Becerra after Meta, the parent company of Facebook and Instagram, donated approximately $950,000 to a PAC supporting his campaign.
Julianna Arnold, a leader of Parents RISE!, an organization advocating for stricter regulation of social media and AI, lost her 17-year-old daughter after the teenager met a man on Instagram who groomed her and provided pills. Arnold called Becerra’s acceptance of Meta money “really disappointing” and questioned his credibility on child safety. “Why is he going to align himself with a company proven in a court of law to have hurt kids, profited off of it, and then lied about it?” she said.
Democratic Rival Tom Steyer Piles On Zuckerberg
Fellow Democratic gubernatorial candidate Tom Steyer also seized on the Meta donation, drawing a sharp contrast on social media. “5 p.m. today: Meta gives $950K for @XavierBecerra. 4 a.m. tomorrow: Meta lays off 10% of workforce,” Steyer wrote. “Mark Zuckerberg wants a friend in Sacramento. I won’t be.”
Becerra has not publicly addressed the growing criticism from either conservatives or the parents’ advocacy groups. As the California governor’s race heats up, pressure is mounting on him to clarify his position on corporate donors with records that conflict with his stated support for child safety online. McDonald’s has also not commented on the boycott calls.
