DoorDash Driver’s Past Lobbying Raises Questions After White House Delivery
Sharon Simmons, who was photographed delivering McDonald’s to former President Trump at the White House on Monday, had previously lobbied in support of the “no tax on tips” policy in 2025. This connection sparked controversy regarding the authenticity of the delivery, leading DoorDash to confirm the event was a staged promotional stunt.
In July 2025, Simmons testified before Congress advocating for the policy, which DoorDash endorses. She explained that she was based in Nevada and worked as a delivery driver because her husband’s cancer treatments had strained their finances.
Following her televised delivery to the White House, some observers expressed skepticism, noting that Simmons was described as an Arkansas resident. The ensuing discussion prompted DoorDash to issue a statement confirming that Simmons’ delivery and the $100 tip she received from Trump were prearranged to commemorate the congressional law that incorporated the “no tax on tips” policy a year earlier. The company also clarified that Simmons had relocated from Nevada to Arkansas in late 2025 to be closer to family.
A DoorDash spokesperson denied allegations that the company and the White House had misled the public, although many social media users suggested the delivery was portrayed as genuine in media coverage.
“No one is claiming it was a real delivery,” DoorDash’s Julian Crowley wrote on X (formerly Twitter).
The situation intensified when the White House’s rapid response X account highlighted Simmons, dubbing her the “DoorDash grandma,” and claimed she had saved more than $11,000 in tips by not having to report them on her taxes.
However, the “no tax on tips” policy is a temporary deduction allowing eligible workers to exclude up to $25,000 in tips annually from taxation. Tipped workers are still required to report their tips as income.
According to the Tax Policy Center, only about 2% of all households—which represents 60% of households with tipped workers—would benefit from a tax cut under this policy, as many tipped employees already pay little or no federal income tax. The estimated average annual tax savings for eligible employees is $1,800.
The White House’s post about Simmons included a community note indicating that the claimed savings amount was not feasible under the policy.
When asked about this discrepancy by , a DoorDash spokesperson stated that Simmons had earned $11,000 in tips in 2025, all of which were tax-exempt due to the president’s policy. It remains unclear whether Simmons earned enough to owe federal income tax on her tips, which remain subject to Social Security and Medicare taxes.
DoorDash did not disclose whether Simmons receives compensation for her lobbying efforts on behalf of the company.
Following Monday’s White House delivery, DoorDash quoted Simmons as saying:
“The final version of no tax on tips would have looked much different without the advocacy of more than 40,000 [DoorDash drivers] who worked tirelessly to ensure independent workers were included in the final language” of the law containing the policy.
Labor advocates have criticized the “no tax on tips” policy for its limited benefits and the potential risk of expanding tip income while reducing base wages for low-wage workers.
Researchers from the Economic Policy Institute noted in a February 2026 report that other provisions of the law supported by Trump, which created the tipped income deduction, simultaneously enacted significant cuts to healthcare, energy, and food assistance programs. These cuts are expected to harm millions of low-income households, including some with tipped workers, while financing tax cuts for the ultrawealthy.
Saru Jayaraman, president of One Fair Wage, condemned the publicity stunt and the policy itself as insufficient support for workers compared to wage increases.
“It’s sad, and it’s a sign of a failing society – not something to celebrate or turn into a photo op,” Jayaraman said. “The fact that a term like ‘DoorDash grandma’ even exists should be a wake-up call.
“Corporations are paying poverty wages while policymakers offer Band-Aid solutions like ‘no tax on tips’ instead of raising pay. At the same time, cuts to Medicaid and food assistance are stripping away the safety net workers rely on to get by.
“Workers don’t need gimmicks – they need living wages, corporate accountability and real economic security.”
