Iyad Muhammad Abuelhawa, the co-creator of the polarizing Trump Burger chain, finds himself in ICE custody, a stark turn for a man whose business brazenly celebrated tough-on-immigration rhetoric.

According to The Daily Mail, Abuelhawa, a 55-year-old Jordanian citizen, was detained on June 2, following a long history of legal troubles, while his business partner, Roland Beainy, faces his own deportation battle. This saga exposes a bitter irony for a brand built on unyielding patriotism.

The story begins with Abuelhawa's criminal record, which stretches back to a 2000 assault conviction and includes a 2007 federal prison stint for health care fraud. He endangered 1,600 Houston residents with fake flu shots, a scam that ICE now cites as proof of his threat to public safety.

From Fraud to Fast Food Venture

Despite a 2009 deportation order, Abuelhawa evaded removal, adopting the alias 'Eddie Hawa' and re-entering the public eye with a restaurant rebranded as Trump Cafe in 2016. That venture failed, but by 2020, he partnered with Beainy to launch Trump Burger, a chain that grew into a MAGA cultural icon across Texas.

The business glorified a hardline stance on borders with menu items mocking political opponents and Trump impersonators entertaining diners. Yet, behind the bravado, Abuelhawa’s past loomed large, finally catching up when ICE arrested him this year.

ICE didn’t mince words, stating he 'will no longer be free to endanger anyone in the U.S. again.' That’s a sharp reminder that personal accountability isn’t just a slogan to slap on a burger bun; it’s a reality even for those waving the loudest flags.

Partner’s Parallel Legal Collapse

Meanwhile, Beainy, a Lebanese immigrant, faces his own reckoning as federal officials move to revoke his green card over allegations of a sham marriage. An immigration court hearing set for November 18 could seal his fate, potentially sending him packing despite building a brand synonymous with American grit.

The Department of Homeland Security confirmed an investigation, with USCIS finding no evidence of a shared life with his alleged spouse. Even her family reportedly admitted the union was a ruse, undercutting any claim to legitimacy.

This isn’t just a personal failing; it’s a glaring contradiction for someone whose restaurants peddled deportation rhetoric as a marketing gimmick. If you’re going to build an empire on law-and-order bravado, you’d better have your own house in order.

Health Concerns and Legal Feuds

Back to Abuelhawa, his attorney Jennifer Lopez claims the ICE facility in Conroe, Texas, is denying him, a diabetic, insulin and blood sugar monitoring, alleging they’re 'waiting for him to die.' DHS fired back, calling such claims false and insisting detainees receive top-tier care, including dietitian-certified meals.

The clash of narratives raises questions about conditions in detention, though one wonders if Abuelhawa’s history of deceit colors his camp’s credibility. Still, basic medical needs aren’t a bargaining chip, no matter the rap sheet.

Beyond health disputes, Abuelhawa and Beainy are locked in a messy fallout, with four lawsuits, including a bitter fight over Trump Burger ownership. Abuelhawa denies any formal partnership agreement, countersuing Beainy for a million dollars in damages.

Brand Under Siege, Lessons Unlearned

The Trump Burger chain itself faces external blows, from a cease-and-desist letter by the Trump Organization demanding an end to using the former president’s name, to property disputes like the Kemah location’s rebranding to 'MAGA Burger' after an eviction. Even Beainy’s former partner, Beshara Janho, is suing him for over a million in another venture gone sour.

This isn’t just a business imploding; it’s a cautionary tale about banking on divisive gimmicks without solid ground beneath you. Trump Burger sold itself as a bastion of unapologetic values, yet its founders couldn’t escape the very systems they claimed to champion.

In the end, Abuelhawa’s detention and Beainy’s looming hearing aren’t just legal battles; they’re a mirror to a deeper hypocrisy. When you build a brand on border walls and the rule of law, don’t be surprised when those same principles come knocking at your door.