Video: McDonald’s worker fails to recognise Bill Clinton. What happened next

Former US President Bill Clinton surprised both staff and customers during a campaign stop for Democratic presidential nominee Kamala Harris in Georgia, when he walked into a local McDonald’s.

Dressed casually in jeans and a bomber jacket, Clinton, once the most powerful man in the world, faced an unexpected situation when the employee at the counter initially failed to recognise him.

As Clinton approached the counter, the worker stared, trying to place the familiar face. Taking the confusion in stride, the 78-year-old Democrat extended his hand in greeting.

While other employees quickly realised who he was, some pulling out their phones to capture the moment, Clinton kept his focus on the puzzled staff member. After a few moments, it clicked, and the woman behind the counter beamed, exclaiming, “Oh my god!” before enthusiastically hugging the ex-president.

What could have been an awkward encounter quickly became heartwarming, as more phones appeared for photos, and laughter filled the restaurant. One person in the background was heard saying, “This is huge, y’all!”

A video of the incident was posted on X by Clinton’s deputy chief of staff.

Clinton’s visit to McDonald’s revived memories of his well-known fondness for the fast-food chain in his younger years. The Golden Arches was a frequent stop for him during his presidency.

He revisited the theme during his speech at the Democratic National Convention in August, when he joked about Kamala Harris, who worked at the Golden Arches in her teens, potentially breaking his record for the president who spent the most time at McDonald’s.

The former president’s love for McDonald’s was famously parodied on ‘Saturday Night Live’, with comedian Phil Hartman portraying Clinton in a famous skit where he ate customers’ food while cracking jokes.

Clinton has since traded in burgers and fries for a mostly vegan diet following his quadruple-bypass surgery, according to The Washington Post.