President Trump is preparing to return to the White House next month, and one beloved feature of his first term is making a comeback: the red Diet Coke button. Yes, the Oval Office’s most unique accessory—a small red button on the Resolute Desk—will once again serve its purpose, allowing Trump to summon his favorite beverage with a single press. According to DailyMail.com, the button is already being reinstalled as part of the preparations for Trump’s second term.
During Trump’s first presidency, this quirky addition became the stuff of legend. Whenever the button was pressed, a Diet Coke would be delivered promptly by a White House staffer on a silver tray. The system reflected Trump’s notorious love for the soda, a preference so well-documented it’s become a recurring joke on social media.
But it wasn’t just a fun feature. For Trump, it streamlined his time in the Oval Office, ensuring he didn’t have to pause his work to make a simple request. The button also reflected Trump’s personal touch on the presidency, showing his willingness to blend functionality with flair.
Unsurprisingly, the button didn’t survive the transition to the Biden administration. Joe Biden reportedly had it removed shortly after taking office. Now, as Trump prepares to move back in, the button’s return is emblematic of a larger effort to restore the White House to the way it was during his first term. Trump’s clothes are already being hung in the closets, family photos are being rehung, and the staff is brushing up on the Trumps’ preferences—from breakfast choices to favorite toiletries.
President Biden has removed the Diet Coke button. When @ShippersUnbound and I interviewed Donald Trump in 2019, we became fascinated by what the little red button did. Eventually Trump pressed it, and a butler swiftly brought in a Diet Coke on a silver platter. It's gone now. pic.twitter.com/rFzhPaHYjk
— Tom Newton Dunn (@tnewtondunn) January 21, 2021
Trump’s relationship with the White House staff was a notable part of his presidency. Kate Andersen Brower, author of The Residence, has shared that Trump was known to tip staff generously, sometimes handing out $50 bills, a rare gesture for a president.
The return of the Diet Coke button might seem like a small thing, but it’s a reminder of the personalized presidency Trump brings. It’s also a symbol of the unique style and larger-than-life persona that define him.