There’s no shortage of fireworks in the Trump-Vance White House, but sometimes, it’s the soda button that delivers the biggest bang.
During a keynote speech at the Ohio Republican Party dinner in Lima, Vice President JD Vance gave the crowd a glimpse into the lighter side of the Trump administration—and the president’s legendary taste for mischief.
The story unfolded after a long and politically charged day. President Trump had spent hours making headlines for sharp remarks about Israel, Iran, Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, and Senator Chuck Schumer—whom he mocked as New York’s “Palestinian Senator.” But back inside the Oval Office, a diplomatic phone call turned into a moment of comic gold.
Vance recounted the scene: Trump, frustrated with an unnamed foreign leader on the line, suddenly muted the call and turned to his VP. “This is not going very well,” he said, before pressing the Oval Office’s infamous red button.
President Trump’s sense of humor is too damn good.
Listen to this story from @JDVance!
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Vance’s reaction was instant: wide-eyed panic. “My eyes get really big and I’m like, ‘Mr. President, what just happened?’” he told the laughing crowd.
Trump deadpanned his response: “Nuclear.”
But just when Vance started wondering if World War III had been launched on his watch, the doors opened—and in walked a staffer with a Diet Coke.
“It wasn’t nuclear, it’s just the Diet Coke button,” Trump said with a grin, as the room erupted in laughter.
Trump’s affinity for the soda button is well known. During his first term, he had a special button installed on the Resolute Desk to summon a cold Coke on demand. President Biden reportedly removed the gadget during his tenure, but Trump reinstated it as soon as he returned—along with a few more practical pranks.
Vance, clearly enjoying his role, said, “That’s the kind of guy, my fellow Republicans, we have as the President of the United States.” He also posted about the experience on X (formerly Twitter), joking, “I wonder if other VPs had as much excitement as I do?” and adding a laughing emoji.
The lighthearted tale was just one more example of Trump’s ongoing knack for mixing sharp political instincts with unpredictable showmanship. Whether he’s skewering mainstream media figures like ABC’s Martha Raddatz—whom he’s dubbed “old timer Martha”—or George Stephanopoulos (“Slopadopolus”), or holding fast-food photo ops and rally stunts, Trump continues to dominate headlines with humor as much as policy.
From autographing a long list of past insults hurled at comedian Bill Maher to trolling campaign opponents by showing up in a garbage truck or flipping burgers at McDonald’s, the president’s antics never seem to stop. RedState calls him a “bottomless well of comedic genius”—and moments like the Diet Coke prank certainly reinforce that.
In the serious world of global politics, the Trump White House proves there’s always room for a good laugh—especially when it comes with a fizzy drink and a fake nuclear scare.
