Trump Turns the Table: How He Used Coca-Cola and California Prisons to Boost His Popularity
During his campaign, US President Donald Trump seized every opportunity to garner support and votes. He was aggressively seeking a second term, and the case was clear to him. He had no choice but to win.
He promised to improve the economy, lower inflation, cut taxes, secure the border, deport illegal immigrants, end foreign conflicts, put America first, and curb the influence of the deep state.
Today, we highlight two other recent statements made by Trump: replacing harmful fructose syrup with cane sugar in Coca-Cola products, and reopening Alcatraz and other prisons..
Trump, Coca-Cola, and Cane Sugar vs. High Fructose Corn Syrup
Background: In July 2025, President Donald Trump announced on his Truth Social platform that he had discussed with Coca-Cola the possibility of using natural cane sugar instead of high fructose corn syrup (HFCS) in its US-produced beverages. He said the company agreed to the proposal, describing the move as “great” and saying it would improve the quality of the beverage.
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Ad Date: Trump announced this initiative on July 16, 2025, stating that Coca-Cola had agreed to use cane sugar after discussions with him.
Coca-Cola Response:
The company has not officially confirmed the full switch to cane sugar, but issued a statement through its spokesperson, Michelle Agnew, saying, “We appreciate President Trump’s enthusiasm for our brand, and we will soon share details of the new innovations.” Later, on July 22, 2025, Coca-Cola announced that it would launch a new version of its drink containing American cane sugar, but the basic recipe would still be based on high-fructose corn syrup.
Historical Context:
Coke used cane sugar in the United States until the 1980s, before switching to high-fructose corn syrup due to its lower cost thanks to U.S. government subsidies for corn farming. Since 2005, the company has imported “Mexican Coca-Cola,” made with cane sugar and popular with American consumers for its “purer” flavor.
Health and Economic Controversy
Health Aspect: Some believe that cane sugar gives the drink a better taste and is considered more natural. However, health experts, such as Dr. Greenthal of the Center for Public Policy Studies (CSPI), maintain that soft drinks sweetened with either cane sugar or corn syrup are not a healthy choice. She noted the need to focus on reducing added sugar overall rather than substituting one type for another.
Economic Aspect: The decision has drawn criticism from corn farmers and the American corn refining industry. John Budd, CEO of the Corn Refiners Association, noted that switching to cane sugar could lead to job losses in the food processing sector, reduced farm incomes, and increased imports of foreign sugar without any tangible nutritional benefits. However, others believe the impact on the corn industry could be limited, as corn syrup represents a small percentage of total American corn production.
Public Reactions
Social media users, such as Twitter, widely reacted to Trump’s announcement. Some supported the move, arguing that cane sugar is healthier and tastier, while others expressed shock at the scale of soft drink consumption in America.
Opinions were divided, with some viewing the move as a marketing ploy by Trump to boost his popularity, while others believed it could negatively impact the American agricultural economy.
Status of the Day
So far, Coca-Cola has not completely changed its basic formula. Instead, it has announced a new version based on cane sugar, slated for release in the fall of 2025. This means that the traditional product sweetened with corn syrup will still be available.
Reopening Alcatraz and Other Prisons
Background: In May 2025, President Trump announced his intention to reopen the infamous Alcatraz federal prison in the San Francisco Bay Area, which closed in 1963 after being considered one of the most secure and stringent prisons in the United States. He also indicated plans to reopen other prisons or increase security at federal prisons to combat what he described as “escalating crime and violence.”
Details of Announcement
The plan to reopen Alcatraz was announced on May 5, 2025, via Truth Social. Trump stated, “When we were a more serious nation, we didn’t hesitate to isolate the most dangerous criminals. This is the right way.”
Purpose of Plan:
According to Trump, the goal is to isolate the “most dangerous criminals” amid rising crime rates, with a focus on maximum-security prisons like Alcatraz.
Project Cost:
Reports indicated that reopening Alcatraz could cost approximately $2 billion, prompting criticism from figures such as Nancy Pelosi, who called the project “the stupidest administration project.”
Alcatraz History, Location, and Reputation:
Located on an island in San Francisco Bay, Alcatraz was known as “The Rock” due to its location surrounded by cold water and strong currents, making it virtually impenetrable to escape attempts. Alcatraz housed notorious criminals such as Al Capone and George “Machine Gun” Kelly.
Prison Conditions: The prison was characterized by a strict guard system (three prisoners per guard) and a strict code of silence, with individual cells to prevent plots.
Escape Attempts: The prison has recorded 14 escape attempts involving 36 prisoners, the most notable of which was the 1962 escape led by Frank Morris and the Anglin brothers, which was immortalized in the Clint Eastwood film “Escape from Alcatraz.”
Closure: The prison was closed in 1963 due to high operating costs ($10.10 per day per inmate, compared to $3 at other prisons). Since then, it has become a tourist destination, attracting millions of visitors annually.
Reactions and Controversy
Prison Administration Support: The Federal Bureau of Prisons supported Trump’s decision, asserting that Alcatraz is an effective model for maximum security.
Criticism: The decision faced opposition due to its high cost and potential negative impact on tourism, as the island is a historical site that generates significant revenue. Some also argued that reopening the prison would not fundamentally solve the crime problem and could divert resources from more effective reforms.
Security Context: The decision comes amid Trump’s tough-on-crime rhetoric, which promotes policies aimed at enhancing public safety through the strict incarceration of dangerous criminals.
Current Status
No date has been confirmed for Alcatraz’s reopening or details of other prisons that might be included in the plan. The decision is still under discussion, and further discussion is expected regarding its economic and security feasibility.
Summary
Coca-Cola and Cane Sugar: Trump announced that Coca-Cola had agreed to use cane sugar after discussions with him. However, the company clarified that it would launch a new version based solely on cane sugar, while the main recipe would continue to use corn syrup. The decision sparked controversy among public health advocates and corn farmers, with opinions divided over its health and economic benefits.
Reopening Alcatraz Prison: Trump seeks to reopen Alcatraz Prison to combat crime, but the project faces criticism due to its high cost and impact on tourism. The decision reflects Trump’s hard-line approach to security, but it has not yet been implemented and is still under discussion.
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