Welcome to The Hill's Business & Economy newsletter {beacon} Business & Economy Business & Economy   The Big Story  Walz dings Trump for 'cosplaying' at McDonald’s Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, the Democratic vice presidential nominee, on Monday accused former President Trump of disrespecting McDonald’s workers when he traded in his suit for an apron this weekend. © AP Photo The Republican presidential nominee on Sunday worked the fry cooker and handed orders to pre-vetted customers at the drive-thru window of a McDonald’s in Bucks County, Pa.   “I’ve now worked for 15 minutes more than Kamala,” Trump said Sunday.   Walz accused Trump of "cosplaying as a McDonald’s worker" in a post on the social platform X, responding to a clip from his Monday interview on ABC’s “The View.” In the interview, Walz similarly addressed Trump’s photo op at McDonald’s this weekend, saying, “Vice President Harris and I grew up middle class. We understand that.” “She actually worked in a McDonald’s. She didn’t go and pander and disrespect McDonald’s workers by standing there in your red tie and take a picture,” Walz continued. “His policies are the ones that undermine those very workers that were in that McDonald’s, whether it’s home ownership, health care, reproductive rights or cost of products.”   Trump had visited McDonald's ahead of a town hall in Lancaster, Pa., later Sunday. He also attended the Pittsburgh Steelers game against the New York Jets on Sunday night.   The Hill's Sarah Fortinsky has more here.   Welcome to The Hill’s Business & Economy newsletter, we’re Aris Folley and Taylor Giorno — covering the intersection of Wall Street and Pennsylvania Avenue.   Did someone forward you this newsletter? Subscribe here.   Essential Reads  Key business and economic news with implications this week and beyond:   McDonald’s says it doesn’t endorse political candidates after Trump visit McDonald’s is seeking to emphasize its political neutrality after former President Trump spent some time behind the counter at a Pennsylvania location of the fast-food giant, which says it does not endorse political candidates.  Full Story   Nippon Steel spends whopping $1.3M on lobbying amid merger threat The Japanese steelmaker Nippon Steel paid its primary lobbying firm $1.3 million during a dangerous period for its proposed acquisition of U.S. Steel over the summer.  Full Story   Cuban says Harris campaign rejected live X interview with Musk Billionaire investor Mark Cuban said Monday that Vice President Harris’s campaign rejected a live interview on the social platform X with billionaire Elon Musk, who owns the platform.   Full Story   Public Affairs Council taps ceiling-shattering new president Nneka Chiazor will take over as president of the Public Affairs Council in January, becoming the first woman and person of color to lead the organization in its 70-year history, The Hill has learned exclusively.  Full Story   The Ticker  Upcoming news themes and events we're watching: The Federal Reserve is set to release its new Beige Book on Wednesday at 2 p.m. E.T.   In Other News  Branch out with more stories from the day: Brazil environmental disaster victims take case against mining giant BHP to UK court LONDON (AP) — Victims of Brazil’s worst environmental disaster took their case for compensation to … Full Story   Good to Know  Business and economic news we've flagged from other outlets: Dow falls nearly 350 points, snapping a three-day win streak (CNBC) Major shakeup at Disney: Board chair is out. New CEO is coming soon (CNN) Insurance should cover OTC birth control methods fully, White House says (CBS News)   What Others are Reading  Top stories on The Hill right now: Harris holds slim leads in 4 swing states, Trump polling ahead in 2 others With about two weeks left before Election Day, Vice President Harris holds slim leads over former President Trump in four critical battleground states, while the Republican is slightly ahead in two others, polling released Monday found. Read more The Memo: Trump leans into populism, crudeness and possibly a second term Former President Trump is leaning into a mix of populism, aggression and outright crudeness in the final stretch of the election campaign — and it might work. Read more   What People Think  Opinion related to business and economic issues submitted to The Hill: New EU directive puts global supply chains and sovereignty at risk      You're all caught up. See you tomorrow!