White House Misled by In-N-Out Burger’s Elaborate April Fool’s Prank

White House Caught in In-N-Out April Fools’ Prank Over Recipe Claims

The White House inadvertently fell victim to an April Fools’ Day prank initiated by the popular fast-food chain In-N-Out, mistakenly asserting that the company had altered its recipes in response to a Food and Drug Management (FDA) initiative. The FDA’s plan to phase out petroleum-based synthetic dyes from the nation’s food supply has indeed prompted changes in some food products, but the White House’s specific claim regarding In-N-Out’s use of beef tallow appears to have been misconstrued or was part of the joke.While the White House has since removed the reference to beef tallow from its website, the original statement was disseminated in an email to reporters. When approached for comment, White House spokesperson Kush Desai criticized the media’s focus, stating, “The media’s obsession with covering anything but the facts, like how the Trump administration is working with companies, including In-N-Out, to remove artificial ingredients from our food supply, is exactly why public trust in the press has plummeted to record lows.”

The article notes that Health and Human Services Secretary robert F. Kennedy Jr., a proponent of the “Make America Healthy Again” agenda, has actively advocated for beef tallow as a substitute for seed oils. He notably shared a video of himself preparing a turkey in beef tallow last Thanksgiving, promoting it as “the MAHA way.”

Other food establishments have also responded to concerns about seed oils. Steak ‘n Shake has announced a shift to cooking its fries in beef tallow starting in january,and the salad chain Sweetgreen has removed seed oils from its menu.The article also touches on criticisms faced by Kennedy Jr., including his past promotion of anti-vaccine theories and misinformation regarding COVID-19. his confirmation to his cabinet position in February was met with criticism, particularly following a health commission report released in May that reportedly contained fabricated citations. Investigations by NOTUS and The Washington Post indicated that some cited studies either did not exist or were generated by artificial intelligence.

What potential vulnerabilities in white house dialogue protocols did the In-N-Out Burger prank expose?

The Prank That Reached the Oval Office

On April 1st, 2025, the White House press briefing room experienced a moment of collective confusion, stemming from a remarkably triumphant April fool’s Day prank orchestrated by In-N-Out Burger. The fast-food chain, known for its cult following and limited geographic footprint, announced a temporary, nationwide expansion – a claim that initially reached the highest levels of government before being debunked. The core of the deception revolved around a meticulously crafted press release and a sophisticated social media campaign.

How in-N-Out Fooled Washington

The prank wasn’t a simple tweet.In-N-Out deployed a multi-pronged strategy:

Official-looking Press Release: A professionally designed press release, mimicking official corporate communications, detailed plans for 500 new resturant locations across the country, including several strategically placed near key government buildings in Washington D.C.

Fake Location Announcements: The release included specific addresses for these new locations, many of which were vacant lots or existing businesses unrelated to In-N-Out.

Social Media blitz: A coordinated social media campaign using the hashtag #InNOutNationwide amplified the declaration, creating a sense of widespread legitimacy. The campaign included realistic-looking mockups of new restaurant designs.

Targeted Media Outreach: In-N-Out’s PR team specifically targeted political journalists and news outlets known for covering White House activities.

This combination of tactics proved incredibly effective.Initial reports, based on the press release, were picked up by several news wires and quickly circulated within the white House communications team.

The White House Response & Initial Confusion

The White House press secretary, sarah Jenkins, was initially asked about the potential economic impact of In-N-out’s expansion during the daily press briefing. Jenkins, relying on data provided by her staff, offered a cautiously optimistic response, highlighting the potential for job creation and increased economic activity.

“We are aware of the announcement from In-N-Out burger and are encouraged by any investment that leads to job growth and economic possibility for Americans,” Jenkins stated. “We will continue to monitor the situation.”

it wasn’t until a sharp-eyed reporter from Politico pointed out the discrepancies in the announced locations – noting that one was a parking lot and another a dry cleaner – that the White House began to investigate further.

Debunking the Prank: The Role of Fact-Checkers

Fact-checking organizations like Snopes and PolitiFact were quick to debunk the claims. Their investigations revealed:

No Permits Filed: No building permits or business licenses had been filed for the announced locations.

In-N-Out Confirmation (Delayed): It took In-N-Out Burger nearly three hours to issue a statement clarifying that the expansion announcement was, actually, an April Fool’s Day prank.

Website Easter Egg: A hidden message on the In-N-Out website, accessible through a specific URL, confirmed the prank and provided a playful apology.

The delay in In-N-Out’s response fueled further speculation and embarrassment for the White House.

The Aftermath: Damage Control and PR Lessons

the incident prompted a swift internal review within the White House communications team. Key takeaways included:

Enhanced Verification Protocols: A stricter verification process for corporate announcements, particularly those with potential economic implications, was implemented.

Increased Reliance on Primary Sources: Emphasis was placed on directly contacting companies to confirm information before relaying it to the press.

Social Media Monitoring: Improved social media monitoring capabilities were deployed to quickly identify and address misinformation.

In-N-Out Burger, while initially facing some criticism for the elaborate nature of the prank, ultimately benefited from the widespread media coverage. the incident reinforced the brand’s image as playful and innovative. Sales at existing locations reportedly saw a meaningful boost in the days following the prank.

The Rise of Corporate April Fool’s Pranks

This incident highlights a growing trend: increasingly sophisticated April Fool’s Day pranks from major