Monday, November 2, 2026Mon, Nov 2
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U.S.LEGAL WATCH

Federal judge rules McDonald's must face McRib lawsuit

Judge April Perry let consumer deception, fraud and unjust enrichment claims proceed, rejecting McDonald's argument that the trademarked name shields it; the sandwich returned nationwide this week.

On air: Gloria Vance on BBN Overnight
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Watch it as it aired: Gloria Vance on this story, from BBN Overnight at 1:21 AM ET. Cartoon anchors, real headline: the facts are Breitbart's, the jokes are ours.

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  1. Gloria Vance · World News AnchorA federal judge in Chicago has ruled that McDonald's must face a proposed class action over the McRib, and one senator wants a word on it.

  2. Gloria Vance · World News AnchorSenator Tobias Wexcombe of New Calloway joins us. Senator, did you have a hand in this ruling?

  3. Tobias WexcombeGloria, as I told the committee, I have been warning about this sandwich for years.

  4. Tobias WexcombeThis ruling is the fruit of my labor, and I keep a photo of me with a McRib from nineteen ninety-three.

  5. Gloria Vance · World News AnchorThe suit was filed in December by four consumers. Judge April Perry refused to dismiss the fraud and unjust enrichment claims.

  6. Gloria Vance · World News AnchorWere any of them your constituents?

  7. Tobias WexcombeEvery one of them, in spirit. As I told the committee on a Tuesday in the spring, I met all four in a parking lot.

  8. Tobias WexcombeThe meeting was brief.

  9. Gloria Vance · World News AnchorMeet them how?

  10. Tobias WexcombeAs I told the committee, it was a Wendy's lot, I think. I wrote the labeling bill that protects them. Personally. In pencil.

  11. Gloria Vance · World News AnchorYour office voted against that bill last spring. I'm asking again. Did you write it?

  12. Tobias WexcombeI voted against the earlier draft, which was weak.

  13. Tobias WexcombeAs I told the committee, I then wrote the strong one, and the staff who say otherwise are the staff who lost it. Ask them for the photo.

  14. Gloria Vance · World News AnchorMcDonald's says the McRib is one hundred percent pork from American farms and contains no heart, tripe or stomach. It calls the claims meritless.

  15. Gloria Vance · World News AnchorThe lawsuit alleges otherwise.

  16. Tobias WexcombeThen the sandwich is on trial and I am its prosecutor, though the company has always been a friend of my district. Mostly.

  17. Gloria Vance · World News AnchorThe judge said McRib isn't shielded by its trademark, and pointed to the McChicken and the Egg McMuffin as names that describe what's inside. Will you take credit for the chicken too, Senator?

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