Many initially thought it was a Big Mac meal that cost $16. But it wasn’t|pointnshoot|CC BY 2.0
An 11-month-old TikTok video showing a $16.10 McDonald’s meal has gotten Americans fuming on social media about rising prices. But the customer had ordered a novelty item. Yet the video went viral and got tied to President Joe Biden’s economic management and the impact of inflation on food prices.
So what’s the story?
Several people and news outlets initially described the item as “a Big Mac meal” that cost $16. But it wasn’t.
The food ordered was a limited edition “smoky” double quarter pounder BLT with fries and a Sprite—one of the costliest meals on the menu.
Still, the misinformation that a Big Mac meal costing more than 16 dollars led to hundreds of people voicing their grievances about how the economy has gotten out of control since Biden took office.
A Big Mac meal cost $5.58 this summer. It was $4.89 before Biden became president.
Bigger than the meal
The situation points to the widespread public discontent over Biden’s economic moves and something that his administration is grappling with as the 2024 presidential election nears.
Even though inflation is at a manageable 3%, and Biden has managed to create a booming job market, substantial wage increases for low-income workers and rapid economic growth, the public won’t give him credit for it, notes the Washington Post.
He is still polling behind Republican Donald Trump.