Is Donald Trump Really Running For President? Or KFC Mascot?

Chris Shott•Updated: Aug. 23, 2016 2:37 pm EST

When the 2016 presidential election is finally over in November, who will make a better Colonel Sanders: Donald Trump or Mike Pence?

I only ask because both halves of the GOP ticket have now professed their love for the world's second-largest fast-food chain on social media — and both, oddly enough, did so on airplanes. And, let's face it, it would be highly amusing to see either one of them in a white suit, mustache, goatee and glasses.

Pence, the current governor of Indiana and Republican nominee for vice president, made his airborne fried chicken debut yesterday with this tweet:

Shoutout to @realDonaldTrump. My mom and I also enjoy @KFC on the plane. #TrumpPence16 pic.twitter.com/9m03FHDR2D

— Mike Pence (@mike_pence) August 22, 2016

Trump, of course, gave the internet heart palpitations with a similar tweet earlier this month.

Great afternoon in Ohio & a great evening in Pennsylvania – departing now. See you tomorrow Virginia! pic.twitter.com/jQTQYBFpdb

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) August 2, 2016

Whether the Trump/Pence campaign intended to see a bump in its poll numbers by associating itself with the Colonel's secret blend of herbs and spices is unclear, but both the fast-food chain and the Republican White House hopefuls have experienced an uptick since Trump's first public foray into finger-lickin' territory. Most national polls are showing a modest boost in support for the so-called fast-food candidate over the past month (although most also show him still trailing Democratic rival Hillary Clinton by a significant margin). Meanwhile, the stock price for KFC owner Yum! Brands is up 79 cents since August 1.

Coincidence? Maybe. KFC also made headlines this week with the release of its fried chicken–scented sunscreen — offering yet another plausible reason for the very tan Trump to love the Louisville, Kentucky–based brand.

Adding even more intrigue to the KFC-Trump connection, there's this videotaped sighting of Colonel Sanders at a Trump rally back in March: