When you think of presidential drinks, your mind might go to fancy wines, whiskey, or maybe some high-end coffee. Not Donald Trump. The former and current president has a much simpler go-to drink that might surprise you. While many world leaders sip on expensive beverages during important meetings, Trump reaches for something most of us have in our fridges right now. His drink of choice? Diet Coke – and not just one can here or there. His relationship with this fizzy drink runs deep and has even changed how the White House operated during his first term.
Trump drinks a shocking amount of diet coke daily
Most of us might enjoy a soda with lunch or as an afternoon pick-me-up, but Trump takes his Diet Coke consumption to a whole new level. According to multiple reports, the former president drinks around 12 cans of Diet Coke every single day. That’s nearly 2 gallons of soda daily! This habit has been confirmed by people close to him, including UFC CEO Dana White, who mentioned Trump’s Diet Coke habit when discussing the 78-year-old’s seemingly endless energy. Imagine drinking enough Diet Coke to fill a small fish tank – every day.
This massive intake goes way beyond what doctors typically recommend for daily soda consumption. Most health experts suggest limiting yourself to one can per day at most, making Trump’s dozen cans per day quite extraordinary. His Diet Coke habit became such a well-known part of his routine that White House staff had to ensure a constant supply was always available. During meetings, public appearances, and even during his time on “The Apprentice,” that familiar silver and red can was never far from reach.
The famous diet coke button in the oval office
How serious is Trump about his Diet Coke? Serious enough to install a special button for it in the Oval Office. Yes, you read that right – an actual Diet Coke button. During his presidency, Trump had a small red button installed on the Resolute Desk. It wasn’t for launching missiles or calling emergency meetings. When pressed, this button alerted White House staff that the president wanted his favorite fizzy drink. Within minutes, a butler would appear with a freshly chilled Diet Coke on a silver platter. Talk about special treatment! This custom setup shows just how important this everyday drink was to his daily routine.
The Diet Coke button became something of a conversation piece in the White House, with visitors often wondering what the mysterious red button did. Some presidents have requested special food items in the White House kitchen, but a dedicated button just for a specific drink takes presidential preferences to a new level. The button was removed when President Biden took office in 2021, but for four years, it was an unusual feature of the most powerful office in the world. White House staff had to keep a constant supply of the soda chilled and ready for whenever the button might be pressed.
Why trump doesn’t drink alcohol at all
Trump’s preference for Diet Coke over alcoholic beverages comes from a deeply personal place. Unlike many past presidents who enjoyed wine, beer, or spirits, Trump completely avoids alcohol. This choice stems from watching his older brother Freddy struggle with alcoholism, which ultimately contributed to his early death. The experience left such a strong impression on Trump that he made a lifetime commitment to abstain from alcohol entirely. This personal history gives his Diet Coke habit more context – it’s not just a preference but a deliberate choice connected to family tragedy.
This abstinence from alcohol makes Trump stand out among U.S. presidents, many of whom were known for their distinctive alcoholic drink preferences. George Washington had his dark porter beer, Teddy Roosevelt enjoyed mint juleps, and JFK was known for daiquiris. Even though Trump has his name on a vodka brand and his family operates a winery, he personally sticks to Diet Coke. The contrast between his business ventures in alcohol and his personal abstinence shows how deeply his brother’s struggle affected his own choices.
Trump’s diet coke preference spans decades
Trump’s relationship with Diet Coke isn’t just a presidential phase – it goes back decades. Long before he entered politics, Diet Coke was his constant companion. On the set of “The Apprentice,” it was always within reach during filming. In his office at Trump Tower, staff made sure to keep it stocked. This long-standing brand loyalty is unusual in a world where food and drink preferences often change. For over 30 years, Diet Coke has been Trump’s steady companion through his career as a businessman, reality TV star, and politician. While most of us switch between different drinks over time, Trump has stayed remarkably faithful to his carbonated companion.
This decades-long commitment to Diet Coke caught the attention of the Coca-Cola company itself. When Trump took office in 2017, Coca-Cola created a special commemorative inaugural Diet Coke bottle in his honor – a nod to his well-known preference. Few presidents have had such a strong association with a specific everyday product. From his early days in New York real estate through his presidency and beyond, the silver can with the red logo has been a constant in Trump’s ever-changing world.
Trump avoids coffee and tea completely
What’s almost as surprising as Trump’s Diet Coke habit is what he doesn’t drink. Unlike most Americans who start their day with coffee or tea, Trump avoids both completely. No morning coffee, no afternoon tea – just Diet Coke from morning until night. In a country where coffee is practically a national ritual and the average American consumes around three cups daily, Trump’s avoidance of caffeine in its traditional forms is unusual. Instead of getting his caffeine from coffee or tea, he gets it exclusively from his dozen daily Diet Cokes, which contain about 46 mg of caffeine per can – roughly half that of a cup of coffee.
This absence of hot beverages from his diet is especially notable for someone who begins his days early and often works late into the evening. Most politicians rely heavily on coffee to fuel their demanding schedules, but Trump gets through his packed days with Diet Coke as his only caffeine source. When he does have breakfast, he opts for bacon and eggs, cereal, or McDonald’s muffins – all washed down with his favorite carbonated beverage rather than the typical morning cup of joe that most Americans rely on to start their day.
How trump’s diet coke habit compares to other presidents
Trump’s Diet Coke preference stands in stark contrast to the sophisticated tastes of many other presidents. Richard Nixon enjoyed Château Lafite Rothschild, a fancy French red wine. Reagan developed a taste for California wines during his time in office. Even non-drinking presidents had more refined non-alcoholic choices – George W. Bush, who also abstained from alcohol, often chose sparkling water with lime. Obama was known for his love of good beer, and even brewed White House Honey Ale using honey from the White House beehives. Compared to these more upscale or craft beverages, Trump’s devotion to a mass-market soda is notably different.
This difference in drink preferences reflects broader contrasts in presidential styles. While some presidents showcased refined tastes to enhance their diplomatic image, Trump embraced everyday American products. His choice aligns with his broader public image as someone who, despite his wealth, connects with ordinary American preferences. The current president, Joe Biden, reportedly favors orange Gatorade – another departure from traditional presidential beverages. These drink choices offer small but interesting insights into how different presidents relate to American culture and how they present themselves to the public.
Was there ever truth to trump drinking alcohol?
Despite Trump’s firm stance that he’s never had alcohol, there have been conflicting reports. Some who knew Trump in the 1990s New York club scene tell a different story. According to these accounts, Trump was occasionally seen drinking light beers like Miller Lite or Bud Light during his bachelor days. Several bartenders and club owners have claimed they served Trump beer and champagne, though they note he was never a heavy drinker. These reports suggest Trump would nurse a few beers over the course of an evening while socializing with celebrities and models in popular New York nightspots.
Whether these accounts are accurate or not, it’s clear that alcohol has not been part of Trump’s public image or lifestyle for many decades. His abstention from alcohol has been consistent throughout his time in the public eye, and the Diet Coke habit has been well-documented by countless sources. Even if he did occasionally drink in his younger years as some claim, his identity as a non-drinker with a serious Diet Coke habit has been firmly established for most of his adult life. The stories of Trump drinking alcohol have never been confirmed by Trump himself, who maintains he has always avoided alcohol completely.
From the Oval Office Diet Coke button to his decades-long brand loyalty, Trump’s beverage preference offers a window into his personality that few would have expected. While other presidents sipped fine wines or crafted signature cocktails, Trump found his perfect match in a mass-market soda that millions of Americans drink every day. His commitment to Diet Coke shows that sometimes the most powerful people have the most ordinary tastes – and aren’t afraid to build their routines around them. What’s your go-to daily drink? Chances are it says more about you than you might think.
