An April Fool’s joke by a fan-run In-N-Out Burger account found its way into an official White House press release, mistakenly claiming the popular fast-food chain had transitioned to using beef tallow for cooking. The White House released a statement on July 14 titled “President Trump Delivers on MAHA Push,” highlighting several food industry changes in line with the “Make America Healthy Again” (MAHA) initiative. Among these claims was a note that In-N-Out had shifted to 100% beef tallow, citing a social media post for confirmation. However, the cited source was not the company’s official account.
Viral April Fools’ Prank From Fan Account Sparks White House Press Release Confusion
The post in question originated from the fan account @innoutburger_ on X (formerly Twitter), which is not affiliated with the restaurant. The account, clearly labeled as a fan page, posted the claim on April 1 as part of an April Fool’s joke. While the account does sport a blue checkmark, that no longer serves as verification of identity after changes made by Elon Musk in 2022. Follow-up posts quickly clarified that the tallow announcement was not real, including one graphic that stated “April Fools.”
White House Falls for In-N-Out April Fools’ Prank, Retracts False Beef Tallow Claim in MAHA ReleaseDespite the clarification posts, the prank went viral, reaching over 5 million views and generating widespread confusion. Thousands of users reacted and speculated before realizing it was a joke. The situation escalated when the White House inadvertently included the fake claim in a press release. In response, In-N-Out officially confirmed that no such transition had taken place. Chief Operating Officer Denny Warnick stated that the chain still uses sunflower oil and is only exploring potential improvements.
White House Retracts Error as Beef Tallow Trend Gains Ground in Fast Food
Once the error was identified, the White House updated the press release and removed the beef tallow claim. The revised version now only includes accurate information, such as In-N-Out’s commitment to removing synthetic food dyes and artificial flavors, referencing a legitimate Good Morning America report from May. USA TODAY reached out to the White House for further comment, but the mistake underscores the risks of relying on unverified sources in official communications.
Though In-N-Out remains committed to sunflower oil, other chains have embraced beef tallow in recent months. Restaurants such as Steak ‘n Shake, Smashburger, Popeyes, and Outback Steakhouse have made the switch, citing health and flavor benefits. Notably, RFK Jr., Secretary of Health and Human Services, has championed beef tallow over seed oils, which he deems unhealthy.
Despite some support from nutritionists for the fat-soluble vitamins and beneficial fats found in tallow, experts remain divided on whether it’s truly a healthier option overall.
