Moment 11 – Wanting to Revive Plastic Straws Because Paper Ones “Explode”
In early 2025, Trump launched a full-throated defense of plastic straws during a rally, declaring that paper alternatives were “terrible” because “they break, they explode in your face, and it’s ridiculous.” He signed an executive order encouraging plastic production, bizarrely adding that “plastic won’t affect the shark much” when discussing ocean pollution. This came amid broader environmental rollbacks, including exiting climate agreements again.
Environmental groups slammed the move as regressive and scientifically illiterate, pointing out that plastic pollution kills millions of marine animals yearly. Supporters loved the “anti-woke” vibe, seeing it as common-sense resistance to “crazy green policies.” The comment exploded online with memes of exploding paper straws, turning a minor culture-war issue into another classic Trump facepalm that distracted from bigger policy debates. Critics argued it showed his preference for soundbites over substance, while fans praised the “relatable” rant. It briefly boosted plastic stock mentions, but mostly added to the long list of quirky, off-topic presidential outbursts.
