Trump has McDonald's, Wendy's, Burger King menu for Clemson football visit

Jan. 14 (UPI) -- The White House served a menu of fast food selections to the Clemson football team during its national championship visit.

President Donald Trump spoke to reporters on Monday when he revealed the culinary options for the Tigers as the team visited the White House Monday.

"They are a great team ... an unbelievable team," Trump said. "They'll be coming tonight and I think we're going to serve McDonald's, Wendy's and Burger King with some pizza. I really mean it."

"It will be interesting and I would think that's their favorite food."

President Donald Trump acknowledges cheering guests along with Clemson coach Dabo Swinney (L) during a 2017 ceremony to welcome members of the 2016 NCAA Football National Champions to the White House in Washington, D.C. File photo by Mike Theiler/UPI

Deputy press secretary Hogan Gidley told CNN that Trump paid for the food that was served at the dinner as a result of the ongoing partial government shutdown, which entered its 24th day.

"The President wanted to host a fun event to celebrate the College Football National Champion Clemson Tigers," Gidley said. "Because the Democrats refuse to negotiate on border security, much of the residence staff at the White House is furloughed -- so the President is personally paying for the event to be catered with some of everyone's favorite fast foods."

The president also said that he considered a different menu for the meal as he addressed the team.

"I had a choice, do we have no food for you? ... Or do we give you some little quick salads that the First Lady will make, along with the Second Lady -- they'll make some salads," said Trump. "I said, you guys aren't into salads."

The Tigers met with the president during a public event in the East Room. Clemson is celebrating its 44-16 thrashing of Alabama in the College Football Playoff national championship Jan. 7. The victory gave the Tigers two national titles in three seasons.

Trump tweeted after the Tigers' win that he was looking forward to the visit.

"I look forward to hosting, right out of the great State of South Carolina, the 2019 NCAA Football Champion Clemson Tigers at the White House on Monday, January 14th," Trump tweeted on Friday. "What a game, what a coach, what a team!"

Alabama visited the White House last year. Clemson last made the visit in June 2017.