Donald Trump, the incoming president, is a famous Diet Coke drinker, so, Coca-Cola sent him a special present to commemorate his inauguration On Monday, January 20, 2025: a personalised commemorative bottle of Diet Coke.
James Quincey, chairman and CEO of The Coca-Cola Company, gave the bottle in a gift box. The date of the 47th President of the United States inauguration and a picture of the White House adorn the 8-ounce glass bottle with a brass crimped cap. The White House and a few inauguration parties will also receive a limited number of the same personalised bottles. Coca-Cola has made it clear that nowhere will this package be sold.
Continuing, because of their collection potential, anyone attending an event where the commemorative bottles will be distributed might wish to think about saving them. On eBay, a bottle from the 2009 Obama inauguration costs around $30. Coca-Cola has come under fire for caving in.
Since 2005, Coca-Cola has commemorated each US presidential inauguration with a limited-edition Coca-Cola bottle, which is carried on by the custom bottle (see photo above).
According to Jim McGreevy, Vice President, Government Relations and Public Policy, Coca-Cola North America Operating Unit: “We’re honoured to continue the tradition of recognizing the milestone of each new presidency.”
“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,” McGreevy added.
Despite Coca-Cola’s 20-year tradition of producing commemorative bottles for incoming presidents, the public’s and the media’s response has been particularly harsh this time.
In a video, the Huffington Post claims: “Coca-Cola sucks up to Trump.”
Intelligencer senior editor Margaret Hartmann creates the headline: “Coca-Cola Gifting Trump a Fancy Bottle Is Peak Spineless Groveling”
According to political enthusiast Russell Drew (@RussOnPolitics): “The absolute cowardice of corporate America is breathtaking. They know who and what they’re dealing with and have decided to give in.”
The commemorative bottle is viewed by Fox Business’s Bottom Line segment as: “A stunning 180 after years of resistance and criticism.”
BrandSpur digital news platform reports that criticism is also worldwide.
According to the Times of India: “Social media calls Coca-Cola CEO’s Diet Coke gift to Donald Trump ‘a**-kissing’ pilgrimage.’”
“The Coca-Cola Co. has a tradition of creating commemorative Coca-Cola bottles in celebration of US presidential inauguration, 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,” a representative for The Coca-Cola Company claims.
