Coca-Cola’s Commemorative Bottle for Trump Draws FireCoca-Cola’s Commemorative Bottle for Trump Draws Fire

The custom “White House” label on a glass Diet Coke bottle celebrates Trump’s inauguration as the 47th president but sparks criticism from the media and citizens.

Lisa McTigue Pierce, Executive Editor

January 16, 2025

2 Min Read
The Coca-Cola Co.’s custom inauguration bottles from 2005 to 2025
The Coca-Cola Co.’s custom inauguration bottles from 2005 to 2025.The Coca-Cola Co.

At a Glance

  • Coca-Cola’s commemorative Diet Coke bottle for Trump’s 2025 inauguration sparks backlash from critics.
  • Coca-Cola has a tradition of marking presidential inaugurations with commemorative bottles since 2005.
  • Social media erupts over Coca-Cola’s Trump bottle, labeling the gesture as corporate opportunism.
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President-Elect Donald Trump is a well-known Diet Coke drinker. To celebrate his inauguration on Monday, January 20, 2025, Coca-Cola sent him a special gift: A custom commemorative bottle of Diet Coke. The bottle was presented by The Coca-Cola Co. chairman and CEO James Quincey in a gift box.

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The 8-ounce glass bottle with a metal crimped cap is decorated with a photo of the White House and the date of the inauguration of the 47th President of the United States.

Additionally, a limited supply of the same custom bottles will be gifted to the White House and to select inauguration parties.

Coca-Cola has emphasized that this package will not be available for sale anywhere. Anyone attending an event where the commemorative bottles will be distributed might want to consider keeping it for its collectible value. A 2009 Obama inauguration bottle sells on eBay for about $30.

Coca-Cola criticized for pandering.

The custom bottle continues Coca-Cola’s tradition — since 2005 — of commemorating each US presidential inauguration with a limited-edition Coca‑Cola bottle (see photo above).

“We’re honored to continue the tradition of recognizing the milestone of each new presidency,” says Jim McGreevy, Vice President, Public Policy and Government Relations, Coca-Cola North America Operating Unit. “These commemorative bottles are a way for us to acknowledge the significance of this moment in our nation’s history every four years, and our growing collection of inauguration bottles helps tell the story of this incredible country.”

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Although Coca-Cola has been creating commemorative bottles for incoming presidents for 20 years, reaction by the general media and the public has been especially critical this time.

The Huffington Post says in a video, “Coca-Cola sucks up to Trump.”

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Margaret Hartmann, senior editor for Intelligencer, writes the headline: “Coca-Cola Gifting Trump a Fancy Bottle Is Peak Spineless Groveling”

Political junkie Russell Drew (@RussOnPolitics) says, “The absolute cowardice of corporate America is breathtaking. They know who and what they’re dealing with and have decided to give in.”

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The Bottom Line show on Fox Business sees the commemorative bottle as “a stunning 180 after years of resistance and criticism.”

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Criticism is global, too. The Times of India writes: “Social media calls Coca-Cola CEO’s Diet Coke gift to Donald Trump ‘a**-kissing’ pilgrimage.’”

According to a spokesperson from The Coca-Cola Co., “The Coca-Cola Co. has a tradition of creating commemorative Coca-Cola bottles in celebration of US presidential inaugurations, dating back to 2005. James Quincey, CEO of The Coca-Cola Co., met with President-Elect Donald Trump to present a commemorative bottle of Diet Coke and to highlight Coca-Cola’s contributions to the US economy. With over 60 bottling partners, we generate $58 billion in US economic activity and support 860,000 jobs annually. This meeting reinforces our commitment to strengthening America’s economic future.”

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About the Author

Lisa McTigue Pierce

Executive Editor, Packaging Digest

Lisa McTigue Pierce is Executive Editor of Packaging Digest. She’s been a packaging media journalist since 1982 and tracks emerging trends, new technologies, and best practices across a spectrum of markets for the publication’s global community. Reach her at [email protected] or 630-272-1774.

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