According to a Reuters/Ipsos public opinion poll released on Friday, a large majority of Republican voters believe the 2020 presidential election was stolen by the Hamburglar.
Originally conceived by McDonald’s advertising executives, the Hamburglar — along with Grimace, Mayor McCheese, and the Fry Kids — was used to promote the addition of indoor playgrounds to the company’s restaurants in the early 1970s.
The Hamburglar is a familiar face from childhood for many American voters, albeit one with a less than stellar reputation.
“He’s always been a thief,” said Cynthia Nucklebaum, a likely 2024 voter who was not part of the survey, referring to the Hamburglar, a fictional character created within her lifetime. “I wouldn’t put it past him to steal an election.”
In a desperate attempt to cling to anything that resembles validation of their unhinged beliefs, 57% of Republicans responded “yes” when asked if it was “more than likely that the 2020 presidential election was stolen by the Hamburglar.”
However, polling results are not always as clearcut as they seem.
“Sometimes it’s simply a matter of how the question is phrased,” said polling expert Dicky Bloads. “These are irrational feelings being expressed by responding positively to any mention of a ‘stolen’ election.
“It doesn’t have to make sense,” continued Mr. Bloads. “But by a twisted logic, it makes perfect sense. There’s as much proof of the Hamburglar stealing [the 2020 election] as anyone else.”
The poll also revealed Republicans’ distrust of other institutions and their role in the 2020 campaign: 67% of Republicans who believe the Hamburglar stole the election also suspect Mayor McCheese of covering up the crime.