The REAL story behind DoorDash grandma of 10 who charmed Trump with two large bags of McDonald’s

The DoorDash driver who delighted Trump by delivering two bags of McDonald’s to the White House on Monday is a grandmother of 10 from Arkansas.

Sharon Simmons has made more than 14,000 deliveries to help pay for her husband’s cancer treatment and testified before Congress in support of the president’s initiative to cancel tax on tips. 

‘I was raised by two hardworking parents that instilled in me a strong work ethic that I keep today,’ Simmons told the House Ways and Means Committee last year.

‘I remember when I was four years old, joining my parents on their newspaper routes. In fact, my mother is almost 80 and still works taking care of little children to cover life’s expenses.’ 

That work ethic then proved to be helpful when her husband was first diagnosed with cancer in early 2025, and ‘the toll that radiation and chemotherapy took on him forced him to reduce his hours at his job.’ 

‘Because DoorDash provides me with a truly flexible work schedule, I was able to drive him to and from his treatments,’ Simmons said at the time. ‘During that time, every extra dollar I earned mattered more than ever.’ 

On Monday, she was caught on camera knocking on the glass door to the Oval Office and telling President Donald Trump that the food he ordered had arrived in what initially seemed an impromptu exchange.

Simmons stood by as the president touted his ‘No Tax on Tips’ policy, which was included in his marquee legislative package: ‘The One Big Beautiful Bill.’

Trump then asked Simmons about her thoughts on transgender women playing in girls’ sports – which she did not provide her opinion on. He then defended his social media post depicting himself as Jesus.

When the president asked Simmons about her husband’s battle with stage 3 cancer, she casually mentioned that he had written a book about his experience.

‘He hasn’t published it yet, but it’s a book on humility,’ the Dasher said after the president pressed her to plug the new book.

Trump just nodded in response, before going on to ask Simmons about her marriage as he marked one year since he first proposed eliminating taxes on tips.

When Simmons lobbied for Trump’s legislation by providing testimony to Congress last year, she explained that she started delivering for DoorDash during the pandemic. 

She added that her favorite deliveries are those in which she partners with a food bank to deliver to seniors with mobility challenges.

‘Sometimes, I’m the only friendly face that these folks see in a day, so I use that time to ask them about themselves and Las Vegas’ history,’ the grandmother told members of the House Ways and Means Committee in July, before she and her husband moved from Nevada to Arkansas.

Simmons then shared that she had worked in ‘numerous industries’ before becoming a Dasher, including working at a factory and landscaping.

She also said that the earnings she makes by delivering meals is ‘how I help put food on our table, how I help my husband through medical treatments and how I maintain connections with my community and 10 grandchildren in Missouri.’

In the year since Trump’s tax-free tip policy was enacted, Simmons told Fox News she probably saved $3,000 to $4,000, explaining that more than half of what she earned throughout the year was in tips.

‘What this really means to me is that last year, my husband, he was diagnosed with stage 3 cancer, and during that time I was able to take some time and take him to his appointments and be there with him,’ she told Fox Monday night following her viral moment.

‘But as you know, going through treatment, even with insurance, you kind of break the bank, and you know, we pretty much went through our savings.

‘So when I found out about the No Tax on Tips, I was like, this is incredible because this, I mean it’s not going to replace my lifesavings, but it’s going to help certainly with future doctor’s appointments and future things that, you know, we have going on.’ 

Yet the couple is still struggling, according to an online fundraiser set up by Simmons’ son-in-law to help with their medical and daily expenses.

‘My dad is currently undergoing cancer treatments, and the financial strain has been overwhelming for both of them,’ Kyrie Quijano wrote. 

‘Despite everything, Sharon continues to work hard and advocate for others, never letting her own struggles get in the way of helping those around her.’

‘They have had it rough their entire lives, but their resilience and kindness shine through every day.’

Quijano then argued that ‘hardworking people like Sharon deserve a break in life.

‘It’s a beautiful thing to see someone who always puts others first finally receive some help themselves,’ he wrote. ‘Thank you for supporting this kind soul and for being part of a community that believes in lifting each other up.’

For his part, Trump was seen handing Simmons a wad of cash as a tip, with reporters in the room spotting at least a $100 bill in the pile.

‘We had a man the other day, they got $5,000,’ Trump said, about another large tip. ‘Another one got seven [thousand] that they weren’t expecting.’

‘It’s because of the great, big, beautiful bill, and that’s why you came. And I really appreciate it,’ he added.

But Max Rettig, DoorDash’s Global Head of Public Policy, said the photo op ‘represents something bigger than a single delivery.

‘It’s about the millions of Dashers across the country who are now able to keep more of what they earn when filing their taxes this year,’ he said in a statement.

‘With No Tax on Tips, Dashers across the US saved hundreds of millions of dollars last year,’ Rettig continued.

He added that the company ‘is proud to advocate on behalf of Dashers like Sharon and push for policies like No Tax on Tips because they deliver real impact for so many hardworking people and their families.’