“How did you do it? What’s your secret?” says Donald Trump, quizzically, and with a tinge of jealousy.
No, he isn’t talking about Carly Fiorina’s recent surge in the polls for the Republican presidential nomination. Instead, he was speaking to (or rather at) Grimace, a giant purple blob used by McDonald’s to push its products, in a commercial from 2002.
Trump, who noticeably had more hair at the time and who seemed a lot calmer and less combative than on the campaign trail today, speaks to the massive mascot: “I put together some really impressive deals, but this thing you’ve pulled off, it’s really amazing.” The product he’s advertising is McDonald’s now defunct “Big N’ Tasty,” which was selling for just a dollar.
The item was removed from McDonald’s locations in the United States in 2011.
Grimace doesn’t say anything, but still Trump sings his praises and looks to the future. He gazes out a window from his office with the blob at his side, saying, “Together, Grimace, we could own this town.”
Check out the 30-second spot here:
And in case you can’t get enough of Trump, here’s what winners of his reality show The Apprentice think of his leadership prowess. He was also lampooned by “The Simpsons” for his hair.
More Must-Reads from TIME
- Donald Trump Is TIME's 2024 Person of the Year
- Why We Chose Trump as Person of the Year
- Is Intermittent Fasting Good or Bad for You?
- The 100 Must-Read Books of 2024
- The 20 Best Christmas TV Episodes
- Column: If Optimism Feels Ridiculous Now, Try Hope
- The Future of Climate Action Is Trade Policy
- Merle Bombardieri Is Helping People Make the Baby Decision
Contact us at letters@time.com