Trump reinstates Diet Coke button in Oval Office, according to WSJ
According to the Wall Street Journal, a Diet Coke button has returned to the Oval Office desk with Donald Trump resuming his presidency for a second term. Read Full Article at RT.com.
TroibNews 
Donald Trump has reportedly reinstated the Diet Coke button in the redecorated room of the White House, as reported by the Wall Street Journal on Monday. By pressing this button, the president can quickly request one of his staff members to fetch his preferred soft drink.
This Diet Coke button was a notable feature during Trump’s previous term; he is known to consume up to 12 cans daily. The small red switch, which is concealed in a wooden box, was taken down in 2021 during the redecoration that occurred when Joe Biden took office.
Prior to Trump’s inauguration, the CEO of Coca-Cola presented him with a special-edition Diet Coke bottle, referencing an earlier incident when the company accidentally offered him a standard Coke during his first term.
During his initial presidency, Trump reportedly used the Diet Coke button to entertain guests. The Financial Times reported in 2017 that he mentioned how visitors often thought it initiated nuclear launches. “Everyone does get a little nervous when I press that button,” the president told a reporter.
In his book "Team of Vipers," former White House aide Cliff Sims recounted how Trump would abruptly press the button, suggesting it could trigger nuclear options. “Not sure what to do, guests would look at one another with raised eyebrows. Moments later, a steward would enter the room carrying a glass filled with Diet Coke on a silver platter, and Trump would burst out laughing,” wrote the former staff member.
Reports indicate that the red button appeared on Biden’s desk multiple times throughout his presidency, but its specific use remains uncertain. In 2022, a comedic sketch by James Corden sparked rumors that the president used it to order ice cream, although the White House never confirmed this.
British billionaire Richard Branson claimed that Barack Obama utilized the button to request tea for his guests during his administration.
The Diet Coke button's return is part of the broader redecoration of the Oval Office, a tradition that occurs with each new president. Such redecorations typically involve swapping out rugs, drapes, paintings, and statues with items from government office collections.
The Oval Office is uniquely personalized for the sitting president and serves as the venue for discussions with foreign leaders, congressional leaders, and the president’s speeches to the nation. The redecoration process usually takes place within hours while the outgoing president is still present in the building.
Jessica Kline contributed to this report for TROIB News
This Diet Coke button was a notable feature during Trump’s previous term; he is known to consume up to 12 cans daily. The small red switch, which is concealed in a wooden box, was taken down in 2021 during the redecoration that occurred when Joe Biden took office.
Prior to Trump’s inauguration, the CEO of Coca-Cola presented him with a special-edition Diet Coke bottle, referencing an earlier incident when the company accidentally offered him a standard Coke during his first term.
During his initial presidency, Trump reportedly used the Diet Coke button to entertain guests. The Financial Times reported in 2017 that he mentioned how visitors often thought it initiated nuclear launches. “Everyone does get a little nervous when I press that button,” the president told a reporter.
In his book "Team of Vipers," former White House aide Cliff Sims recounted how Trump would abruptly press the button, suggesting it could trigger nuclear options. “Not sure what to do, guests would look at one another with raised eyebrows. Moments later, a steward would enter the room carrying a glass filled with Diet Coke on a silver platter, and Trump would burst out laughing,” wrote the former staff member.
Reports indicate that the red button appeared on Biden’s desk multiple times throughout his presidency, but its specific use remains uncertain. In 2022, a comedic sketch by James Corden sparked rumors that the president used it to order ice cream, although the White House never confirmed this.
British billionaire Richard Branson claimed that Barack Obama utilized the button to request tea for his guests during his administration.
The Diet Coke button's return is part of the broader redecoration of the Oval Office, a tradition that occurs with each new president. Such redecorations typically involve swapping out rugs, drapes, paintings, and statues with items from government office collections.
The Oval Office is uniquely personalized for the sitting president and serves as the venue for discussions with foreign leaders, congressional leaders, and the president’s speeches to the nation. The redecoration process usually takes place within hours while the outgoing president is still present in the building.
Jessica Kline contributed to this report for TROIB News
