Trump comes for American lore with pop agenda

In his second term, President Trump is making a habit of taking action on topics plucked from America's popular imagination that had previously been non-existent in Washington's policy playbook.Why it matters: Trump's voracious appetite for generating attention and marketing his policies has bred ideas that inject the power of the presidency into deep recesses of American life and culture.Driving the news: This past week, Trump announced that Coca-Cola had agreed to use real cane sugar in Coke. For decades, high-fructose corn syrup has sweetened the drink. (The company hasn't confirmed his claim.)The topic has been steadily gaining attention in the U.S., with interest in Mexican Coke — which uses cane sugar — rising for years, according to Google Trends.The big picture: We all know "kitchen-table issues," the topics shaped by decades of campaign trail debates. But these are "group-chat issues" — stuff you'd text your friends about that doesn't usually get picked apart by policy wonks.Alcatraz: Trump stunned the country by announcing this spring that the notorious prison island — closed for more than 60 years — would be reopened. The move is inspired "more by symbolism than necessity," Axios' Marc Caputo reported. The penny: The administration took action on the ultimate pocketbook issue by announcing plans to discontinue the 1-cent coin. While the move makes economic cents — pennies now cost more to make than they're worth — the bigger impact could the cultural ripple of an extinct piece of American iconography.Gulf of America: Trump caught Americans off guard when he edited U.S. maps on his first week in office. The seemingly superficial move led to profound fallout over press freedom and geopolitics. JFK files: He indulged a decades-long national fascination about the JFK assassination by releasing 63,000 pages of records — a topic that had largely been left to amateur sleuths and conspiracy theorists. While the records added color to the understanding of the event, there were no bombshells.Reality check: Trump finds himself on the other side of a group-chat issue with his posture on the Jeffrey Epstein case.He is fighting against the populist current demanding more information and transparency around Epstein's sex trafficking operation, while disavowing his supporters who continue to press him.Zoom in: On some lesser-noticed, Seinfeldian issues, Trump addressed everyman gripes with the stroke of a pen.He signed executive orders to maintain "acceptable water pressure in showerheads" and curb the use of paper straws.

Comments

World news

Democrats laugh off Trump attempts to blame them for Epstein fallout

Independent

Comments

Similar News

Trump rants that Washington Commanders should change name back to ‘Redskins’

What does Donald Trump have to prove to win his WSJ lawsuit over ‘fake’ Epstein card?

Ellen DeGeneres: I moved to the UK because of Trump

Trump faces frosty reception on Aberdeen golf trip

Tulsi Gabbard openly accuses Obama of longstanding effort to overthrow Trump in coup

Democrats laugh off Trump attempts to blame them for Epstein fallout

Trump touts U.S. as "most respected country" as he marks six months in office

Trump’s bullying of Brazil is backfiring

Premiers meeting in Ontario to tackle Trump tariff ultimatum and internal trade barriers

Trump has become the victim of his own conspiracy theories

Trump’s team wanted Kilmar Abrego Garcia to face ‘American justice.’ He could be deported again before trial

Why Is Trump So Obsessed With Critical Minerals?

Transatlantic security specialist discusses Trump's shift in policy towards Ukraine

Trump’s overdue pivot on Ukraine

"He's a madman": Trump's team frets about Netanyahu after Syria strikes

After six months under Trump, California and L.A. are battlegrounds. Who benefits?

News Analysis: Trump's 'force of personality' hasn't delivered on key foreign policy goals

Donald Trump: six months in six charts

As Trump Courts a More Assertive Beijing, China Hawks Are Losing Out

Embraer warns US carriers face extra $9mn per plane from Trump’s tariffs

World news

Democrats laugh off Trump attempts to blame them for Epstein fallout

Putin ‘open to peace’ despite intensifying bombardment of Ukraine

Tulsi Gabbard openly accuses Obama of longstanding effort to overthrow Trump in coup

At least 67 Palestinians killed while waiting for aid in Gaza, officials say

How much could bills go up by if Thames Water is nationalised

My message to Gen Z: If you can’t make a phone call you need to grow up

Scottie Scheffler dominates The Open to win his fourth major title

Syria's armed Bedouins withdraw from Druze-majority city after weeklong fighting

Car crashes into a barn's roof in Germany, seriously injuring 2

Pope Leo XIV renews call for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza

Pro-Palestinian protest prompts onstage scuffle at Royal Opera House in London

Trump touts U.S. as "most respected country" as he marks six months in office

D-Day veteran who became TikTok star dies aged 102

Man travels 500 miles to meet beauty queen and 'future wife' - then grim truth unravels

Gaza's deadliest day of war for Palestinians seeking food and aid as 'at least 85 killed'

One person killed and two missing after six swept over Oregon waterfall

Calls for Japan’s Leader to Resign as His Party Faces Election Defeat

Passenger Ship Fire Kills at Least 3 People in Indonesia

Pope Leo XIV condemns ‘barbarity’ of Gaza war as dozens reported killed queuing for aid

FBI agent found guilty of raping three women inside of his secret tattoo parlor

Three men accused of sexually abusing children as young as three in an underground bunker in Alabama

At least five dead as ferry packed with 280 passengers bursts into flames off Indonesia

Saudi Prince Al-Waleed dies after 20 years in coma following horror London crash

Decomposing bodies pile up on streets after more than 1,000 killed in Syria

Sewage spills hit Britain’s tourist hotspots following torrential rain

Man Utd to speed up four player exits as Rashford nears Barcelona move

Trump has become the victim of his own conspiracy theories

U.S. still looking at 10% baseline tariff, not higher, Lutnick says

Russia says open to Ukraine peace talks, but insists on achieving its ‘goals’

Passenger ferry in Indonesia catches fire at sea, killing at least 5

Recipe: Southland salad

Indonesia ferry fire: Moment man clings to terrified baby in sea after abandoning ship

Tragic final words of girl trapped in cement-like mud for 60 hours as eyes turned black

Grave of football hero who defied the Nazis restored after heartwarming campaign

Passengers rescued from Indonesia ferry fire

Senior Pentagon adviser, who alleged colleague called the cops on him, fired by Pete Hegseth

Gen Zers are becoming home owners by buying in cheap small cities (and yes, sometimes having parental help)

Study reveals which states are sending the most transplants to America’s 5 biggest cities

Trump’s team wanted Kilmar Abrego Garcia to face ‘American justice.’ He could be deported again before trial

All the workplace pension changes that could happen – and how likely they are

The increasingly toxic blame game at the top of BBC

Editor’s Letter: Thankfully times have moved on in Anglo-German relations

Softer Brexit plans accelerated with new laws on food brought forward

Power cuts and flooding fears as thunderstorms to bring 50mm of rain

Lionesses will stop taking the knee after Jess Carter suffers racist abuse

Why Is Trump So Obsessed With Critical Minerals?

Congo and rebels have committed to ending war in the east. Here's what to know

Israeli troops shoot Palestinians at aid site, kill 67: Gaza health ministry

Gavin Rossdale on the new Bush album, cooking, and staying away from social media

Why family of 'Sleeping Prince' Al-Waleed refused doctors' advice before tragic death

Ryanair passengers landing in Spain left FUMING as pilot's announcement ruins their flight

Japan's ruling party set to lose majority, exit polls suggest

Moscow airports temporarily closed after Ukraine drone attacks

Age didn't kill India's beloved centenarian marathon runner. A speeding car did.

Transatlantic security specialist discusses Trump's shift in policy towards Ukraine

RCMP watchdog found ‘clear call for change’ in workplace culture: Documents

The Doug Ford Doctrine: 'We really have to flex our muscles'