The delivery was arranged by DoorDash and the White House to mark the enactment of the 'no tax on tips' provision into law a year earlier, according to multiple reports. Sharon Simmons had previously lobbied in Congress in July 2025 in favor of the policy, which DoorDash supports, major media outlets report. She testified in Congress that she was based in Nevada and driving for DoorDash because her husband's cancer treatments made it difficult to make ends meet, according to those outlets. DoorDash stated that Simmons moved from Nevada to Arkansas in late 2025 to be closer to family, though the exact timing and reasons beyond that remain unclear.
The 'no tax on tips' policy is a temporary deduction of up to $25,000 in tips annually for eligible workers, but tipped workers still have to report tips as income, multiple reports indicate. According to the Tax Policy Center, only about 2% of all households, equating to 60% of households with tipped workers, would receive a tax cut from the policy, with an estimated average savings of $1,800 per year for eligible employees, major media outlets report. The provision was part of a broader tax package signed by Donald Trump in July 2025.
No one is claiming it was a real delivery.
Controversy arose over savings claims made during the event. The White House's rapid response X account quoted Sharon Simmons as saying she saved more than $11,000 in tips by not having to claim them on her taxes, according to major media. A community note on the White House's post said the claimed savings amount would not be possible under the policy. DoorDash stated that Simmons earned $11,000 in tips in 2025, all of which was tax-exempt due to the policy. Donald Trump referenced during the White House event that Simmons had 'picked up an extra $11,000' due to tax changes, which she confirmed.
Awkward moments punctuated the White House gathering. During the event, Donald Trump asked Sharon Simmons if she voted for him, to which she replied 'Maybe', multiple reports indicate. According to Daily Express - World, Donald Trump described asking Simmons about men playing in women's sports, and she declined to comment, saying she was there about tax on tips. Trump later admitted at a roundtable event in Las Vegas that the DoorDash delivery stunt was 'a little tacky' and 'embarrassing', major media outlets report.
To be honest, it was a little tacky. You know, they come up with these crazy ideas ... They're a little embarrassing.
Broader promotional efforts accompanied the event. Sharon Simmons praised the 'no tax on tips' policy during the White House event, saying it helped her family immensely, according to major media. The White House released an AI-generated video on Monday depicting food delivery drivers to promote the 'no tax on tips' policy, multiple reports indicate. DoorDash spokesperson Julian Crowley noted on social media, 'No one is claiming it was a real delivery.'
I think you voted for me. Do you think? Oh, maybe.
Oh, maybe.
Do you think that men should play in women's sports?
I really don't have an opinion on that... I'm here about tax on tips.
You don't? I'll bet you do.
It has helped my family out immensely and I definitely appreciate it.
Maybe.