Donald Trump’s diet soda habit has a surprising explanation – and it’s not what you might expect

Donald Trump’s love of diet soda has long been part of his public image. Until now, it’s largely been seen as a simple personal preference. But according to Dr. Mehmet Oz, there may be more behind the president’s go-to drink.

Speaking on an episode of Triggered with Don Jr., Oz shared Trump’s own reasoning for his choice.

“Your dad argues that diet soda is good for him because it kills grass – if poured on grass – so, therefore, it must kill cancer cells inside the body,” Oz said, according to UNILAD.

He went on to describe a recent interaction aboard Air Force One.

“You know, we were on Air Force One the other day, and I walk in there because he wants to talk about something, and he’s got an orange soft drink on his desk. He’s got a Fanta on the desk,” Oz said. “And I say, ‘Are you kidding me?’ So he starts to, like, sheepishly grin. He says, ‘You know, this stuff’s good for me, it kills cancer cells.’”

Donald Trump’s love for diet soda

Oz, who leads the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, added that Trump appeared to apply similar logic to orange soda – joking that it might be “freshly squeezed.”

“OK, OK,” Donald Trump Jr. responded, “but then maybe he’s onto something. Because I will say this: I know a lot of guys pushing 80 – not a lot have his level of energy, recall, stamina.”

Despite the claims, there is currently no scientific evidence showing that diet soda can kill cancer cells. It also does not offer any meaningful nutritional benefits.

That said, it can serve a purpose for some people – particularly as a way to reduce sugar intake or support weight management when used in place of full-sugar drinks.