In a shocking turn of events, McDonald’s has announced a complete withdrawal from U.S. operations, sending shockwaves through the fast-food giant’s stock and the broader market. Just hours ago, CEO Chris Kempczinski revealed the drastic measure during a live announcement, citing a staggering 1% global sales drop—the first since 2020—and an alarming 15% plunge in shares. The cause? A perfect storm of protectionist tariffs imposed by the Trump administration, which have crippled supply chains and sent costs soaring.

The fallout is catastrophic: 12,000 stores, 60,000 jobs, and an estimated $5 billion in revenue evaporated in mere months. McDonald’s, once a symbol of American dining, is now a casualty of the trade war, with the iconic Big Mac priced out of reach for many consumers. Raw material costs have skyrocketed, forcing McDonald’s to shutter U.S. production lines and pivot operations to cheaper hubs in Vietnam and Brazil. But this gamble risks the quality that customers have come to expect, and the potential for supply chain disasters looms large.

The crisis isn’t confined to McDonald’s. A class-action lawsuit from 1,700 franchise owners is now on the table, accusing the White House of policies that have choked off their livelihoods. Wall Street responded with panic, as the fast-food sector plunged to its lowest point in years. Meanwhile, rival chains like Wendy’s and Burger King are seizing the opportunity, rolling out budget deals to lure price-sensitive diners.

As the repercussions of these tariffs unfold, the very fabric of America’s fast-food landscape is at stake. Will Washington heed the warnings before it’s too late? With millions of jobs hanging in the balance and communities on the brink of collapse, the time for action is now. The question remains: can McDonald’s—and America—survive this perfect storm? Stay tuned as this story develops.