A presidential quirk returns
As Donald Trump begins his second, non-consecutive term as President of the United States, one of his most talked-about quirks has made a comeback—the famed “Diet Coke Button.” This red button, nestled inside a wooden box on Trump’s resolute desk, allows the President to summon a Diet Coke with the press of a finger.
What is the Diet Coke button?
The button notifies White House butlers to bring a Diet Coke to the Oval Office, a favorite beverage of Trump, who is reported to have consumed up to 12 cans daily during his first term. The facility was removed in 2021 when President Joe Biden assumed office but has now been reinstated following Trump’s inauguration on January 20, 2025.
A button with a backstory
The Diet Coke button first gained public attention in 2017 when Trump jokingly told The Financial Times, “Everyone does get a little nervous when I press that button.” The button’s presence has sparked curiosity and humor, especially after revelations in the 2019 book Team of Vipers by former White House aide Chris Sims.
Sims recounted how Trump would use the button to prank visitors, suggesting it might trigger a nuclear response. Moments later, a steward would arrive with a Diet Coke on a silver platter, leaving guests relieved and Trump amused.
Redecorating the Oval Office
Alongside the return of the Diet Coke Button, Trump’s redecorated Oval Office features several notable changes:
- A portrait of Benjamin Franklin and a fresh Andrew Jackson painting now adorn the walls.
- The iconic George Washington portrait remains above the fireplace.
- Portraits of Alexander Hamilton and Thomas Jefferson maintain their presence, symbolizing key figures in U.S. history.
- A bust of Winston Churchill, a staple of Trump’s first term, is back near the fireplace.
- The bust of Martin Luther King Jr., kept by both Trump and Biden, also remains.
- The gold curtains chosen by Trump during his initial term, retained by Biden, continue to frame the office windows.
A symbol of Trump’s style
The return of the Diet Coke Button and the refreshed Oval Office décor reflect Trump’s distinctive style as he resumes leadership. Love it or mock it, the button has become a symbol of the former—and now current—President’s unconventional approach to the presidency.
This quirky hallmark serves as a reminder that, in Trump’s White House, even the smallest details carry a larger-than-life story.
