Trump Mocked for Not Knowing What a 'Corner Store' Is

The former president's lack of familiarity with everyday American businesses sparks backlash online.

Apr. 17, 2026 at 4:20pm

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A dimly lit corner store at dusk, with a warm glow from the setting sun casting long shadows across the storefront. The scene has a quiet, cinematic quality, capturing the solitary nature of the small business in an urban setting.The former president's unfamiliarity with a common small business reflects his disconnect from the lives of everyday Americans.Las Vegas Today

Former President Donald Trump is facing criticism after admitting during a roundtable event in Las Vegas that he was unfamiliar with the term 'corner store.' Trump's comments, in which he questioned who on his staff had included the phrase in his speech, were met with accusations that he is 'completely out of touch' with the lives of average Americans.

Why it matters

Trump has long positioned himself as a champion of the working class, but his apparent unfamiliarity with common small businesses like corner stores reinforces perceptions that the multi-billionaire former president is out of touch with the everyday experiences of most Americans.

The details

During a roundtable event in Las Vegas, Trump promoted his policy of no taxes on tips. When the term 'corner store' was used in his speech, Trump admitted he had never heard that term before and demanded to know who on his staff had included it. Trump's critics quickly seized on the remark, accusing the former president of being 'completely out of touch' with the lives of average Americans.

  • The comments were made during a roundtable event in Las Vegas on April 17, 2026.

The players

Donald Trump

The former president of the United States who is known for his brash style and claims to represent the interests of the working class, despite his vast personal wealth.

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What they’re saying

“Completely out of touch”

— Julia Davis, Daily Beast columnist

“He's such a freak”

— Mehdi Hasan, Independent journalist

The takeaway

Trump's lack of familiarity with the term 'corner store' reinforces the perception that the former president, despite his claims to represent the working class, is out of touch with the everyday experiences of average Americans.