A DoorDash courier from Arkansas, who charmed former President Trump by bringing two bags of McDonald’s to the White House on Monday, happens to be a grandmother of ten.
Sharon Simmons, who has completed over 14,000 deliveries, has been working tirelessly to fund her husband’s cancer treatment. She even shared her story with Congress, advocating for the president’s plan to eliminate taxes on tips.
“My parents were hardworking and instilled a strong work ethic in me, which I maintain to this day,” Simmons recounted to the House Ways and Means Committee last year.
She shared memories of accompanying her parents on newspaper routes at the tender age of four. Remarkably, her mother, approaching 80, still works, caring for children to meet life’s expenses.
This dedication proved invaluable when her husband was diagnosed with cancer in early 2025. The harsh effects of his treatments compelled him to cut back on work hours.
“Thanks to DoorDash’s flexible schedule, I could take him to and from his treatments,” Simmons explained. “During that period, every extra dollar I earned was crucial.”
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.
Sharon Simmons, a DoorDash worker from Arkansas, was seen crossing the White House lawn on Monday to deliver two large bags of McDonald’s
Simmons made the delivery to mark the one year since President Donald Trump proposed his No Tax on Tips policy
Simmons testified in favor of the Big Beautiful Bill and its No Tax on Tips policy in July
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 (pictured with some of her grandchildren) told Congress last year that her parents had instilled in her a strong work ethic
That work ethic proved helpful when her husband (pictured together) was diagnosed with stage three cancer last year
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.
Trump asked Simmons about her husband’s battle with cancer at the photo-op on Monday
‘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.
Trump concluded the photo-op by handing Simmons a wad of cash as a tip
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.’
