Donald Trump's Snacking Habits On Air Force One Are As Unhealthy As His Daily Diet

It shocked many when the news came out that Donald Trump drank so much Diet Coke that he had to have a button installed in the Oval Office to hail his staff. Reportedly, the former "Miss Universe" owner drank up to 12 cans of soda a day. But if his need for a Diet Coke is shocking, then Trump's love for McDonald's is something else. 

When reaching for McDonald's, Trump goes beyond a simple meal, opting instead for two Big Macs, two Fish-o-Filet sandwiches, and a chocolate milkshake. The self-proclaimed all-time most loyal customer has even welcomed guests to the White House with McDonald's burgers multiple times, and — thanks to his open love for the chain — was greeted in Saudi Arabia with a custom McDonald's truck, just for him. When Trump's diet doesn't consist of Big Macs and Filet-o-Fishes, the president is avoiding his greens as much as he can, indulging in fattier and sweeter treats like bacon, steak, and ice cream. 

The previous doctor to the president, Dr. Ronny L. Jackson, warned Trump against this diet. When the president could not adapt to his recommendations, Trump's doctor had to hide vegetables in his meals. Jackson admitted to The New York Times, "We were making the ice cream less accessible, we were putting cauliflower into the mashed potatoes." But the former "Apprentice" host's eating habits stretch beyond the confines of the White House.  

Eric Trump shared an image of his father on his Instagram in August 2025 from on board Air Force One. The photo showed President Donald Trump, cozied up to the window of the airplane, with a bag of potato chips and a soda. Eric's social media photo confirmed a 2017 Washington Post article that detailed the indulgent pantry fillers of the president's private plane: Oreos, pretzels, Vienna Fingers, and, of course, potato chips.

erictrump/ Instagram

Though the occasional snack isn't bad for one's health, the president's seeming constant draw to these ultra-processed foods raises alarm. Doctors have spoken out against a pattern of eating, such as Trump's, for years. Dr. Stephen Devries told the American Medical Association, "Ultra processed foods are the perfect storm to promote overconsumption and weight gain: They are laboratory engineered to maximize appeal, are calorie-dense, and have little or no fiber or other healthful nutrients."

Though the photo is from 2025, the pattern of eating goes back much further. Trump's former campaign manager, Corey Lewandowski, wrote in his book about the president's constant consumption of fast food. In a tongue-in-cheek comment, Lewandowski jokingly penned that the billionaire's private jet was packed full of the three major food groups: McDonald's, Kentucky Fried Chicken, and pizza (via The New Yorker).

In 2019, a year before his doctor started sneaking him vegetables, Donald Trump's doctors gave the president a meal and workout plan to follow for the year. However, as his annual physical date approached, Trump made it known that he had not followed the doctor's orders. As Hogan Gidley, the then-deputy White House press secretary, told the White House Press Corps, including CNN, "The President received a diet and exercise plan last year after his annual physical, but the President admits he has not followed it religiously."

Despite his inability to follow recommendations from doctors, between Trump's presidencies, he lost 30 pounds. Sean Hannity, a Fox News anchor, attributed the weight loss to the real estate mogul's no-bun order when he eats burgers. Yet, according to the former "Apprentice" host, he was working so hard during his presidential campaign that he didn't have time to eat. Whatever the case, Trump's continued focus on fast food still raises alarm for his diet, which was pictured on his own son's Instagram. President Trump's diet builds on a mounting concern about his overall health after The New York Times published an in-depth examination of Trump's many medical scares in 2025.