Unique gesture highlights Coca-Cola’s decades-long tradition of celebrating U.S. presidential inaugurations
In a nod to Donald Trump’s well-documented fondness for Diet Coke, Coca-Cola Chairman and CEO James Quincey presented the President-elect with a one-of-a-kind Presidential Commemorative Diet Coke bottle ahead of his inauguration.
The specially designed bottle features a label reading, “The Inauguration of the President of the United States,” along with Trump’s name and the inauguration date, “January 20, 2025.” It was delivered in a striking red box accompanied by a note highlighting Coca-Cola’s economic impact, including its $55 billion contribution to the U.S. economy and support of 860,000 jobs.
“We’re proud to continue our decades-long tradition of celebrating the U.S. presidential inauguration with a commemorative bottle,” the note read.
A personal touch for Trump
Margo Martin, Deputy Director of Communications for Trump, shared images of the exchange on X, formerly Twitter, showing Trump receiving the exclusive bottle from Quincey.
“Tonight, President Trump received the first-ever Presidential Commemorative Inaugural Diet Coke bottle from the Chairman and CEO of Coca-Cola Company, James Quincey,” Martin posted, attaching two photos of the interaction.
Elon Musk, CEO of Tesla and SpaceX, added his thoughts to the mix by reacting to an image shared by DogeDesigner on X. Musk wrote, “The inventor of Diet Coke is a genius,” reflecting Trump’s well-known affection for the beverage.
Diet Coke and Donald Trump: A long-standing bond
Donald Trump’s love for Diet Coke is hardly a secret. During his first term in the White House, he famously had a special button installed on the Resolute Desk in the Oval Office to summon a fresh can of the soda. The button, hidden in a wooden box, would summon a valet to deliver a chilled Diet Coke on a silver platter. Reports suggest Trump consumed up to 12 cans of the beverage daily, with the button serving as his convenient solution to “keep the carbonated beverages flowing.”
Coca-Cola’s inauguration tradition
Coca-Cola’s practice of creating special inaugural bottles has a long history, with previous editions becoming highly sought-after collectibles. The commemorative bottles serve as a tribute to the office of the president and symbolize the company’s connection to American culture and traditions.
This latest addition to Coca-Cola’s commemorative lineup stands out not just for its unique design but also for the personal relevance it carries for Donald Trump, whose connection to Diet Coke has become part of his public persona.
As the inauguration approaches, this small but meaningful gesture from Coca-Cola further underscores the intersection of American traditions, corporate culture, and individual preferences.