No one is safe from Donald Trump’s policies—not even paper straws.
Have you ever been irrationally furious at a straw? Probably not. But Donald Trump? Oh, he’s livid. And now, less than a month into his second term as President, he’s taking action against what he calls the ultimate liberal failure: paper straws.
Is Trump Really Banning Paper Straws?
View this post on Instagram
Yes, really. If you thought Trump had moved on from his 2020 rant about paper straws being a disaster, think again. He’s doubling down, announcing via Truth Social that he plans to sign an executive order banning them the week of February 10, 2025. His reasoning? In his own words: “BACK TO PLASTIC!”
I will be signing an Executive Order next week ending the ridiculous Biden push for Paper Straws, which don’t work. BACK TO PLASTIC!
Donald Trump Truth Social Post 10:12 AM EST 02/07/25
— Donald J. Trump Posts From His Truth Social (@TrumpDailyPosts) February 7, 2025
This move completely reverses Joe Biden’s policy, which aimed to eliminate single-use plastics in government food services, events, and operations by 2027. But according to Trump, “Liberal paper straws don’t work.” That’s not just his opinion—it’s literally a phrase printed on straws sold during his 2020 campaign. (Who knew drinking utensils had political affiliations?)
The Straw That Broke Trump’s Patience
If Trump despises paper straws so much, he could just… not use them. It’s not like he doesn’t have access to plastic ones. Oh wait—McDonald’s, one of his favorite spots, has switched to paper straws. Suddenly, it all makes sense.
He’s not the only one waging war against them, either. Corey Tochor, a Canadian MP, has also campaigned for plastic straws, claiming his kids “hate” paper ones for their milkshakes and Slurpees. His official stance? “They suck.” (Yes, that’s an actual quote.) Imagine rolling back environmental progress because of a milkshake inconvenience. But hey, priorities!
Are Paper Straws Really That Bad?
It’s true that a 2023 study found some paper and bamboo straws contain forever chemicals (PFAS), but the alternative isn’t much better. Plastic straws contribute to environmental devastation, ending up in landfills and harming wildlife. The logic is simple: small changes add up, and reducing single-use plastics is a step in the right direction. But apparently, Trump disagrees.
View this post on Instagram
What’s Next on Trump’s Anti-Environment Agenda?
Trump’s vendetta against paper straws is just the beginning. His push for oil and gas expansion, his withdrawal from the Paris Climate Agreement, and his overall dismissal of climate change suggest that the environment isn’t exactly a top priority for him. And with four more years ahead, this is just the start of the policies he’s poised to dismantle.
If this is where he’s focusing his energy, what’s next? Banning reusable shopping bags? Declaring war on metal water bottles? At this point, nothing would be surprising. But one thing is clear—Trump’s battle against paper straws is about more than just convenience. It’s about undoing anything and everything tied to environmental progress, one sip at a time.
