Squid Game actor alleges assault at Dutch McDonald’s: says staff refused him for being American

Actor Geoffrey Giuliano has published video claiming he was refused service and physically pushed by staff at a McDonald’s inside Amsterdam’s airport, an episode he says unfolded as he prepared for a long international flight. The clip — and his allegation that the treatment was tied to his being American — thrusts customer-service practices and staff conduct at busy transit hubs into the spotlight just as global travel rebounds.

The footage, which Giuliano shared publicly this week, shows the 69-year-old — known for a villainous role in the Netflix series Squid Game — confronting employees after saying he was denied an order. Moments later, a manager appears to approach and extend an arm toward the camera; another staff member is seen moving the actor toward the exit.

Giuliano told a British tabloid that staff claimed the restaurant was closing, a justification he disputes. He also said his accent prompted the refusal, and characterized the interaction as an instance of anti‑American discrimination he has encountered before in the Netherlands.

The actor describes personal stakes: he said he recently had knee surgery, is diabetic and was en route on a roughly 15‑hour flight to Thailand. In the video he can be heard objecting when a worker makes contact, repeatedly asserting that he was being touched and calling it assault.

• Who: Geoffrey Giuliano, 69, actor who appeared in Squid Game.
• Where: McDonald’s at Amsterdam airport (public footage indicates the restaurant area inside the terminal).
• When: Incident shown in footage from December; clip posted publicly this week.
• Claims: Denied service after staff heard his American accent; physically shoved or pushed by employees; manager attempted to block the camera.
• Current status: Giuliano says he will report the incident to higher McDonald’s management; the news outlet covering the story has sought comment from McDonald’s.

Video of disputes in public retail spaces often sparks quick reactions online, but they can also trigger internal reviews, depending on the chain’s policies and whether any physical contact is confirmed. McDonald’s corporate teams typically investigate complaints at high‑traffic locations such as airports, where operating hours and staffing pressures complicate service situations.

Legal and rights implications differ: being turned away for legitimate closing procedures is not the same as being unlawfully denied service, while unwanted physical contact can escalate into a police or civil complaint. Giuliano framed the encounter to the press as rooted in bias; that claim would require additional evidence and testimony to substantiate.

The episode underscores a broader issue for travelers and brands: how frontline staff handle language differences, customer medical needs and recording by patrons. Airports require fast turnarounds and clear closing policies, but they also place a premium on de‑escalation training when tensions rise.

Giuliano has previously said he experienced similar treatment in the Netherlands after 2016; this latest incident, he told reporters, felt like a repeat. The clip shows him returning to the register after being pushed, telling staff he intended to lodge a formal complaint with franchise management.

Fox News Digital has reached out to McDonald’s for comment; as of publication no detailed response has been posted by the company. The chain’s public reply, and whether local airport authorities or law enforcement receive a formal report, will determine whether the matter prompts further investigation.

For travelers, the case is a reminder to document incidents and, when possible, seek immediate assistance from airport customer services or security. For operators, it highlights the reputational and operational costs when staff interactions become confrontational in view of cameras and social media.