What started as a quirky, over-the-top MAGA-themed burger joint has now spiraled into a legal and immigration nightmare. The men behind the infamous “Trump Burger” chain—once viral for its Trump-stamped buns and menu mocking Joe Biden—are now both facing serious trouble with federal authorities.
A Partner With a Dark Past
Iyad Muhammad Abuelhawa, a 55-year-old Jordanian national, was arrested by ICE in June after years of avoiding deportation.
His history is troubling: a 2000 assault conviction, a fake flu shot scam in Texas that endangered over 1,600 people, and prison time for healthcare fraud and drug misbranding.
Despite a deportation order dating back to 2009, he managed to remain in the U.S. under the alias “Eddie Hawa.”
Viral Fame Through Trump Cafes
Abuelhawa and his wife first tapped into Trump fever in 2016, renaming their struggling Bellville Café as the “Trump Café.”
That gimmick gained traction, and by 2020, Abuelhawa teamed up with Lebanese immigrant Roland Beainy to launch Trump Burger.
The concept caught fire, expanding to multiple locations across Texas.
Legal Battles and Broken Partnerships
The partnership didn’t last long. Abuelhawa and Beainy fell out, leaving a trail of lawsuits in their wake.
They’ve accused each other of fraud, with Abuelhawa denying Beainy’s alleged 50% stake in the business and countersuing for $1 million.
Other lawsuits followed, including disputes with landlords and former associates.
ICE Custody and Health Concerns
Abuelhawa’s attorney has claimed he isn’t receiving proper medical care while being held at a Texas detention facility.
A diabetic, he allegedly isn’t getting insulin or blood sugar monitoring.
ICE, however, has strongly denied these allegations, insisting detainees receive quality healthcare and meals overseen by dietitians.
Beainy’s Own Immigration Problems
While Abuelhawa sits in custody, Beainy is now facing deportation himself.
Federal officials accuse him of entering a “sham marriage” to gain permanent residency.
Investigators reportedly found no proof of a genuine relationship—no shared lease, no joint bank accounts—and even the woman’s family admitted the marriage wasn’t real.
An immigration court hearing is set for November 18, where Beainy could lose his green card and be ordered out of the country.
Trump Burger’s Brand Under Fire
Meanwhile, the burger empire itself is crumbling.
Trump impersonators once entertained diners as customers ordered the “Trump Tower Burger” or the “Melania Crispy Chicken.” But controversy has caught up.
The final blow came in February, when the Trump Organization sent Beainy a cease-and-desist letter, demanding he stop using Trump’s name and likeness.
The truth? Despite the branding, Trump Burger was never endorsed by Donald Trump, his family, or his company.
A Business Built on Controversy
From $50 parody “Biden Burgers” with tiny patties to Trump-themed kitsch, the chain was always designed to grab headlines.
But instead of cementing their empire, the co-founders now find themselves battling lawsuits, health concerns, revoked green cards, and the looming threat of deportation.
