You’ve been there. You’re three sips into a milkshake, and suddenly your straw turns into a piece of wet, limp linguine. It’s annoying. For most of us, it’s just a minor lunch-break grievance, but for Donald Trump, it became a full-blown political movement.
Believe it or not, we are still talking about straws in 2026.
It started as a viral campaign stunt back in 2019, but the saga of Donald Trump paper straws—or rather, his absolute refusal to use them—has morphed into actual federal policy. On February 10, 2025, just weeks into his second term, Trump signed Executive Order 14208. The title? "Ending Procurement and Forced Use of Paper Straws."
He wasn't joking. He really wants them gone.
The $500,000 Spite Straw
Rewind to July 2019. Brad Parscale, Trump’s then-campaign manager, was trying to drink an iced tea when his paper straw collapsed. He vented on Twitter. He called them a "liberal" failure.
Then came the genius marketing move.
Within days, the official Trump campaign store started selling 10-packs of bright red, laser-engraved plastic straws for $15. People thought it was a joke. It wasn't. They sold out in hours. By the end of that month, the campaign had raked in nearly $500,000 from people who just really hated soggy paper.
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“Liberal paper straws don’t work,” the product description read. It was a classic "us versus them" play. While environmentalists were pointing to that heartbreaking 2015 video of a sea turtle with a straw stuck in its nose, Trump supporters were pointing at their disintegrating drinks.
What Actually Happened in 2025?
When Trump returned to the White House, the "straw war" moved from the gift shop to the Oval Office. He didn't just complain about them at rallies anymore; he used the power of the pen.
His executive order basically did three things:
- Banned the ban: It stopped federal agencies from purchasing paper straws.
- Reversed Biden-era rules: It killed the previous administration’s plan to phase out single-use plastics in federal buildings by 2027.
- The "National Strategy": It ordered the creation of a plan to end the use of paper straws nationwide within 45 days.
Trump’s logic is simple, if a bit blunt. He says paper straws "explode" if a drink is too hot and that they "don't work too good." During a gaggle with reporters, he famously said he didn't think plastic would affect sharks much because they're too busy "munching their way through the ocean."
Honestly, the science he cites is a bit more complicated than that.
The administration’s "National Strategy" report, released in March 2025, argued that paper straws are actually worse for you. They cited a study from the University of Antwerp that found "forever chemicals" (PFAS) in many paper and bamboo straws. These chemicals are water-soluble. They can bleed into your drink. Ironically, the study found no measurable PFAS in traditional plastic straws.
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Is the "Paper-Thin" Case Legitimate?
There’s a lot of back-and-forth on the environmental impact. Environmental groups like Oceana are predictably horrified by the return to plastic. They point out that Americans use hundreds of millions of straws a day—though the exact number is debated—and they don't biodegrade. They break down into microplastics that end up in our blood, our food, and yes, the ocean.
But Trump’s team pivoted to a different argument: carbon footprints.
They claim that producing a paper straw can actually require more energy and water than a plastic one. Plus, they often come wrapped in—you guessed it—plastic. It feels like a bit of a wash, doesn't it?
Then there's the cost. Paper straws can cost up to 400% more than plastic ones. For a small coffee shop owner, that adds up fast. For the federal government, which is the largest purchaser of straws in the country, it's a massive line item.
The Cultural Divide in a Cup
At this point, the donald trump paper straws debate isn't really about the environment or even functionality. It’s about identity.
Choosing a straw has become a political statement.
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If you’re at a restaurant in a deep-blue city like Seattle or D.C., you’re probably still getting paper or a "sippy cup" lid. But in federal buildings and many red states, the plastic straw is making a massive comeback.
It’s a symbol of "common sense" to some and "environmental regression" to others.
The industry is leaning in, too. Matt Seaholm, the CEO of the Plastics Industry Association, called the move a "Back to Plastic" movement. It’s a rare moment where a tiny, 20-cent tube of plastic becomes the front line of a national cultural battle.
What You Should Actually Do
Whether you love the red plastic straws or think they’re a disaster, the landscape has changed. If you’re a business owner or just someone who hates soggy paper, here is how to navigate the current "straw-scape":
- Check Your Local Laws: Even though Trump signed a federal order, many cities and states (like California) still have their own bans in place. The federal order doesn't automatically overrule a city ordinance.
- Look for PFAS-Free Options: If you're worried about the "forever chemicals" the White House mentioned, look for straws specifically labeled as PFAS-free. Some newer paper brands have fixed the "soggy" problem with better coatings.
- Go Third-Way: If you hate both plastic and paper, silicone or stainless steel reusables are the way to go. They don't melt, they don't kill turtles, and they don't contain chemicals that bleed into your soda.
- Watch the Procurement: If you're a federal contractor, expect your supply chain requirements to shift back to plastic immediately. The "National Strategy" is already being baked into government contracts.
The straw wars might seem silly, but they represent a much larger shift in how the U.S. handles regulation and consumer choice. We’re moving away from "nudge" economics and back toward traditional materials. Just don't be surprised if your next drink comes with a side of political controversy.
Next Steps for Readers:
Review your current inventory or personal habits. If you're in a region affected by the new federal guidelines, check with your local distributors to see if plastic pricing has dropped following the 2025 Executive Order. For those sticking with eco-friendly options, research "agave straws" or "PLA" (polylactic acid) alternatives—they tend to hold up much better than paper without the environmental baggage of traditional plastic.