President Donald Trump announced this week that Coca-Cola plans to switch from high-fructose corn syrup to real cane sugar in its classic soft drink sold in the United States—at his suggestion. However, Coca-Cola has not confirmed any such change.
In a social media post on Wednesday, Trump claimed credit for what he described as an upcoming ingredient shift in the iconic beverage.
“I have been speaking to Coca-Cola about using REAL Cane Sugar in Coke in the United States, and they have agreed to do so,” Trump posted. “It’s just better!”
Coca-Cola Responds, but Offers No Confirmation
The Atlanta-based Coca-Cola Company responded with a brief statement, thanking Trump for his enthusiasm but stopped short of confirming any changes to its U.S. formula.
“We appreciate the interest and excitement. We’ll share more details on new offerings in our product lineup soon,” a company spokesperson said.
The company has not elaborated on whether the recipe for its flagship soft drink will change.
Mexican Coke vs. U.S. Coke
Coca-Cola has offered a cane sugar version of its soda to U.S. consumers for years—bottled in glass and imported from Mexico. Often referred to as “Mexican Coke,” it has developed a cult following among fans who prefer its taste over the corn syrup version sold in most American stores.
Switching to cane sugar in standard U.S. production would align Coca-Cola with international practices seen in markets like Mexico and Australia.
Pushback from Corn Industry
The idea of removing high-fructose corn syrup has sparked concern from the agricultural sector, particularly corn growers and food manufacturers.
John Bode, president and CEO of the Corn Refiners Association, issued a critical statement in response to Trump’s claim.
“Replacing high fructose corn syrup with cane sugar doesn’t make sense,” Bode said. “It would cost thousands of American food manufacturing jobs, depress farm income, and increase imports of foreign sugar—with no nutritional benefit.”
Trump’s Long and Complicated Relationship with Coke
Despite his public advocacy for the ingredient change, Trump’s personal preference remains Diet Coke, which uses aspartame instead of sugar or corn syrup.
During his presidency, Trump famously had a red button on the Oval Office desk to summon a Diet Coke on demand. Reports from The New York Times in 2018 noted he drank up to 12 Diet Cokes a day.
His history with Coca-Cola hasn’t always been friendly. In 2012, he publicly questioned whether diet sodas contribute to weight gain, calling Coca-Cola “garbage” while still admitting to drinking it.
Still, photos over the years have repeatedly shown a bottle of Diet Coke nearby—including during the 2017 G20 summit.
What’s Next for Coca-Cola?
It remains unclear whether Coca-Cola plans to shift its production formula in the U.S. to include cane sugar or if the company is preparing to launch new product options. For now, the brand continues to keep its plans under wraps.
As speculation circulates, one thing is clear: even outside the White House, Trump still knows how to stir up a debate over what Americans drink.
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