Trump vows to end Biden’s ‘ridiculous’ paper straw initiative: ‘Back to plastic’

WASHINGTON — President Trump announced Friday that he will soon sign an executive order ending the Biden administration’s initiative to ban plastic straws across the federal government.

“I will be signing an Executive Order next week ending the ridiculous Biden push for Paper Straws, which don’t work,” the president, 78, wrote on Truth Social.

“BACK TO PLASTIC!”

Trump appeared to be referring to former President Joe Biden’s July 2024 promise to “phase out” single-use plastics — including straws, cutlery and cups — in federal departments.

The ban would have also covered all packaging and food service operations, with the end of procurement due in 2027.

“Plastic production and waste have doubled over the past two decades, littering our ocean, poisoning the air of communities near production facilities, and threatening public health,” a contemporary White House fact sheet stated.

Environmentalists have long railed against single-use plastics as wasteful and dangerous to sea turtles and other ocean wildlife.

Trump expressed his annoyance at the push back in 2020, during his failed re-election bid.

“They want to ban straws. Has anyone tried those paper straws? They’re not working too good,” he said during one event. “It disintegrates as you drink it.”

Trump’s announcement was praised by Republicans and conservatives like Sen. Markwayne Mullin (R-Okla.), who wrote on X: “If radical environmentalists want to ‘end all plastic,’ they should quit using it.”

“It may be facile junior high election stuff but acting (or even just posting) on a steady stream of annoying, relatable issues in your daily life is pretty good low calorie politics,” wrote government relations strategist Liam Donovan.

“I guess what I’m saying is make incandescent light bulbs great again,” he added.

“The United States contributes a minuscule share of the plastic waste in the oceans,” added UnHerd US editor Sohrab Ahmari. “Enough with making life miserable for ordinary people in the name of these boutique causes.”