Francesca Biagioli Trump claims Coca-Cola will ditch corn syrup for cane sugar. The company hasn’t confirmed, and experts warn it won’t make soda healthier.
Donald Trump is once again making headlines, this time not for politics or courtrooms, but for a fizzy drink. In a recent post on Truth Social, the former president claimed he had convinced Coca-Cola to change the recipe of its flagship beverage in the United States. “It will be simply better,” he wrote, adding that the company would begin using a new ingredient.
But is this just another Trumpism, or is something actually changing in America’s most iconic soda?
The supposed switch: real cane sugar
According to Trump, Coca-Cola will swap high-fructose corn syrup for real cane sugar. That’s a significant shift—if it’s true.
Most Americans probably don’t realize that the Coca-Cola sold in the U.S. is sweetened not with sugar but with high-fructose corn syrup (HFCS), a cheaper alternative introduced in the 1980s to cut costs. Elsewhere in the world—Mexico, the UK, Australia, and much of Europe—classic Coca-Cola uses cane or beet sugar, a difference that many claim gives the drink a cleaner, better taste.
Trump praised Coca-Cola’s top executives for agreeing to the change. But the company has not confirmed any recipe overhaul. In a rather vague statement, it said only that “details about new innovative offerings across the Coca-Cola portfolio will be shared soon.”
So far, this sounds more like an unofficial leak than a corporate announcement.
Is this about public health?
While Trump hasn’t linked the move to any formal policy, it could tie into a broader initiative quietly gaining traction. Robert F. Kennedy Jr., appointed by Trump as Secretary of Health, is spearheading a campaign called “Make America Healthy Again.” The program aims to push food manufacturers to reduce or eliminate ingredients associated with chronic disease—like HFCS, refined oils, and artificial dyes.
But let’s be honest: switching to cane sugar won’t make Coca-Cola a health drink. It’s still packed with sugar—roughly 39 grams (1.4 oz) per 12 oz (355 ml) can—and excessive consumption is clearly linked to obesity, diabetes, and other health risks. Changing just one ingredient doesn’t solve the underlying issue: this is a product best consumed sparingly, if at all.
The corn industry pushes back
Not everyone is fizzing with excitement over the news. The Corn Refiners Association quickly voiced its concerns. President John Bode warned that replacing corn syrup with cane sugar could threaten thousands of American jobs, especially in agriculture, reduce farm income, and increase reliance on imported sugar—all without delivering any real health benefit.
And there’s a political undertone, too. Corn is grown predominantly in Midwestern states—traditionally conservative strongholds—but sugarcane production is concentrated in Florida, Trump’s home state and a key battleground in any upcoming election. In other words, this isn’t just about sweetness—it’s about strategy.
But Trump doesn’t drink regular coke
Here’s the twist: Trump, the man claiming to revolutionize Coca-Cola’s formula, doesn’t even drink the classic version. He’s a longtime fan of Diet Coke, which contains no sugar or corn syrup, but is instead sweetened with aspartame, a synthetic compound under increasing scrutiny for possible health risks.
When he was in the White House, Trump reportedly had a button installed on the Resolute Desk in the Oval Office—press it, and a staffer would bring him a Diet Coke on demand. It was a quirky detail that amused the media and gave late-night hosts endless material.
So the irony is hard to miss. Trump wants to “improve” a product he doesn’t actually consume, while promoting a version of health reform that hinges on symbolic changes, rather than structural ones.
Will coke really change?
It’s still unclear whether Coca-Cola will go through with the recipe revision or if this is just another media stunt, designed to generate buzz without substance. Until we see cans labeled with “real cane sugar” on store shelves across the U.S., skepticism is warranted.
One thing is certain, though: Trump knows how to keep himself in the conversation, even when the topic is what’s in your soda can.
Sources: White House Instagram/ BBC
