USA: Former President Donald Trump made a surprising announcement this week, stating that Coca-Cola has agreed to shift to using real cane sugar in its U.S. product lineup following his personal suggestion. In a post shared on Truth Social, Trump expressed his satisfaction with the decision, calling it a “very good move” and thanking Coca-Cola’s leadership. While the company has not confirmed this move publicly, the claim has already stirred significant discussion online. If true, the shift would mark a notable change in the American beverage market, where high fructose corn syrup has long been the sweetener of choice due to cost and availability.
Trump’s close relationship with Coca-Cola is well documented, and his preference for Diet Coke is no secret. Elon Musk once praised the inventor of Diet Coke as a “genius” and shared a picture of Trump receiving a commemorative bottle of the soda from Coca-Cola CEO James Quincey. This custom bottle, adorned with the White House and a presidential slogan, was presented before Trump’s 2017 inauguration and symbolized the brand’s long-standing tradition of marking presidential transitions. The bottle came with a note detailing Coca-Cola’s vast economic footprint in the U.S., highlighting its \$58 billion contribution and over 860,000 jobs supported nationwide.
Despite the strong ties, Trump has had a complicated public relationship with the soda brand. In a 2012 tweet, he famously said, “I have never seen a thin person drinking Diet Coke.” This remark added to the mix of admiration and critique that has marked his association with the drink. During his presidency, Trump reportedly installed a special button on the Resolute Desk that, when pressed, summoned a staffer to deliver a chilled Diet Coke. His reported daily intake of 12 cans underscored his devotion to the beverage, making any shift in Coca-Cola’s formula personally significant to the former president.
The report also recalls the subtle changes that came with the Biden administration, including the removal of Trump’s Diet Coke button from the Oval Office. While this act was symbolic, it reflected a shift in tone and taste between the two administrations. Trump’s latest claim about pushing for real cane sugar in Coca-Cola may serve as both a personal branding move and an attempt to influence consumer trends in the food and beverage sector. Whether or not the company actually implements the change remains to be seen, but the statement alone has already reignited debates about sugar content, health implications, and product authenticity in one of America’s most iconic brands.
