The Staged Embrace: Unraveling Trump’s Chick-fil-A Hug with a MAGA Operative
Posted April 13, 2024 by: Admin
In a viral video that recently circulated on social media, President Donald Trump was seen being hugged by a supporter during a visit to a Chick-fil-A restaurant in Atlanta. While the moment appeared to be a spontaneous display of affection from a passionate fan, a closer examination of the incident reveals that the embrace was far from organic, and instead, part of a carefully orchestrated campaign strategy.
Trump’s campaign has consistently employed a tactic of setting up staged events at fast food restaurants during his road trips to rallies and speeches. These events are meticulously planned in advance, with law enforcement officers positioned on the airport tarmac upon his arrival and throngs of cheering supporters strategically placed to capture photo and video opportunities for social media and conservative news outlets. The goal is to craft an image of Trump as a “Man of the People,” with a groundswell of grassroots support.
However, the repetitive nature of these events exposes their manufactured nature. Trump follows a predictable script, wearing the same clothes, delivering the same speeches, and repeating the same talking points in backstage interviews. The campaign strategically positions supporters, such as those wearing “Blacks for Trump” t-shirts, directly behind him at every rally, creating the illusion that they are following him across the country on their own accord. Similarly, the campaign has orchestrated fake union rallies, where non-union individuals, sometimes not even auto workers, hold “Union Workers for Trump” signs.
The staged nature of Trump’s events was particularly evident in the aftermath of the East Palestine, Ohio train derailment. Amidst the town’s suffering from a devastating ecological disaster, Trump flew in to stage another event. He promoted his “Trump Waters,” distributed cans of Goya beans, and made insensitive remarks, asking the Mayor about crime rates and telling everyone to “have fun” before departing on his private jet back to his country club.
The recent Atlanta Chick-fil-A visit followed the same pattern. While the true purpose of the trip was a fundraiser with a small group of billionaires in Buckhead, Georgia’s wealthiest neighborhood, the campaign used the staged visit to the fast food restaurant to create a three-day news cycle suggesting a groundswell of support from black, working-class Georgians. Photos and videos of the event went viral on media and social media platforms, but the reality behind the scenes tells a different story.
The woman at the center of the viral Chick-fil-A hug, Michaelah Montgomery, is not just an ordinary supporter. She is the founder of a conservative-themed group called Conserve the Culture. During a Fox News interview, Montgomery admitted to visiting the location with her students, knowing that Trump would be there. This revelation contradicts the notion that the encounter was a spontaneous outpouring of support, as regular individuals would not have prior knowledge of Trump’s visits to specific fast food locations.
Further investigation into Montgomery’s background reveals her deep ties to Republican politics. According to her LinkedIn profile and posts reviewed by MeidasTouch, Montgomery has worked as a Republican Party of Georgia intern for years. She describes herself as a “political consultant” and a “director of outreach and engagement.” Additionally, Montgomery’s bio indicates that she worked for Blexit, an organization founded by Candace Owens to recruit Black voters to support Trump and join the Republican Party.
Blexit is now under the control of Turning Point USA and its founder, Charlie Kirk. Recently, Blexit director Pierre Wilson appeared on Charlie Kirk’s show and expressed approval for Kirk’s attack on Martin Luther King Jr. During the interview, Wilson also spoke out against Black History Month and the existence of Black movie categories on streaming platforms like Netflix and Hulu, comparing them to segregated water fountains.
Montgomery’s involvement in Georgia Republican politics extends beyond her internship. Since at least 2018, she has been actively engaged with the party, as evidenced by photographs of her with Governor Brian Kemp, holding an access badge at the Georgia Capitol, and working with Republicans on canvassing and outreach efforts in the state. MeidasTouch also discovered a picture of Montgomery working a table at a Charlie Kirk and Candace Owens “Live Free Tour” event in October 2023.
While Montgomery has every right to support Trump, identify as a Black conservative, and be compensated for her Republican political work, it is essential to recognize that the Chick-fil-A encounter was not an organic, spontaneous event. Montgomery’s years of involvement with MAGA Republican causes underscore the staged nature of the interaction. As the public consumes news and media coverage of such events, it is crucial to remain discerning and not be swayed by false narratives pushed by Fox News hosts and other media outlets, which present these manufactured moments as genuine indicators of support.
