When you think about what the President of the United States eats for dessert, you might imagine fancy pastries from exclusive bakeries or elaborate creations prepared by White House chefs. The reality is way different. Donald Trump’s go-to sweets are things you probably have in your pantry right now, and some of them might make you do a double-take. From childhood classics to everyday snacks that most people grab at the grocery store, his sweet tooth preferences are surprisingly relatable and completely unexpected for someone who lives in luxury.
Pink Starbursts top his candy preferences
During a recent White House event for Take Our Daughters and Sons to Work Day, Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt revealed something that caught everyone off guard. When kids asked about Trump’s favorite candies, she didn’t mention truffles or gourmet chocolates. Instead, she named Pink Starbursts as one of his top picks. That’s right – the same individually wrapped fruit chews that kids trade at lunch tables across America. The 78-year-old president apparently has strong opinions about Starburst colors, and pink wins every time.
This preference isn’t as random as it sounds. Pink Starbursts are strawberry-flavored and have a devoted following among candy fans who consider them the best flavor in the pack. Some people even buy special bags that contain only pink ones because they’re that popular. When Leavitt was asked how much candy the president eats, she responded with “good amount,” which suggests this isn’t just an occasional treat. It’s pretty amusing to imagine someone in the Oval Office unwrapping these little squares of chewy candy between meetings. The fact that Trump has such a specific flavor preference makes it even more relatable – everyone has that one candy color they always reach for first.
Tootsie Rolls are always within reach
Right alongside those Pink Starbursts, Trump keeps another classic American candy in regular rotation. Tootsie Rolls have been around since 1907, and they’re the kind of candy that grandparents always seem to have in their candy dishes. These chocolate-flavored chews are simple, straightforward, and completely unpretentious. The president’s fondness for them shows that sometimes the most basic treats are the most satisfying. Tootsie Rolls don’t try to be fancy – they’re just consistent, reliable, and always taste exactly like you expect them to.
What makes this choice interesting is that Tootsie Rolls aren’t exactly trendy. They’re not the candy you see advertised during prime-time TV or featured in fancy gift boxes. They’re the candy you find in Halloween bags, at movie theaters, and in checkout line displays. The fact that someone with access to literally any dessert in the world chooses these childhood favorites says something about sticking with what you know. It’s also worth noting that both of his top candy picks are individually wrapped, which might relate to his well-documented concern about germs and contamination. Each piece comes in its own little package, untouched until you open it.
Oreos were stocked on Air Force One
America’s favorite sandwich cookie also happens to be a presidential favorite. According to reports, Air Force One was regularly stocked with multiple packages of Oreos during Trump’s time in office. We’re not talking about one pack tucked away in a cupboard – there were enough packages on hand that he never had to worry about running out mid-flight. The reason for having so many wasn’t just about quantity, though. It connected back to that germ concern, allowing him to open fresh packages without worrying about who might have touched the cookies before.
Trump’s relationship with Oreos hit a bumpy patch back in 2015 when he threatened to boycott them over claims about their parent company moving operations to Mexico. The controversy didn’t last long, and the cookies clearly made their way back into his regular snack rotation. Oreos are one of those foods that cross all demographic lines – kids eat them, adults eat them, and apparently presidents eat them too. They’re available at every grocery store, gas station, and convenience shop in the country. The fact that someone could have literally any cookie specially made for them but chooses Oreos instead is actually kind of remarkable. They’re dunked in milk in regular households and on Air Force One alike.
Vanilla ice cream gets special treatment
At a White House dinner, something unusual happened that perfectly illustrates Trump’s sweet preferences. When dessert was served, the president received two scoops of vanilla ice cream while everyone else at the table got just one. This wasn’t a mistake or an oversight – it was apparently standard protocol. Vanilla might seem like a boring choice to people who get excited about exotic ice cream combinations, but it’s actually the most popular ice cream choice in America. Trump’s preference for it fits right in with his other dessert picks: classic, familiar, and no-frills.
Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt also mentioned that Trump enjoys ice cream sundaes topped with chocolate sauce and other toppings. So while he likes vanilla as his base, he’s not opposed to dressing it up a bit. The two-scoop situation became something people talked about because it seemed like such a small but telling detail. Getting an extra scoop of ice cream is the kind of perk that actually sounds pretty nice – no complicated privileges, just more dessert. It’s the sort of thing that makes people either laugh or feel a little jealous, depending on how much they like ice cream.
McDonald’s shakes make the list
Trump’s fondness for McDonald’s is well-documented, and it extends beyond burgers and fries into their dessert menu. His favorite shakes from the golden arches come in two varieties: chocolate and vanilla. These aren’t craft milkshakes from trendy burger joints or thick shakes from old-fashioned diners. They’re the standard McDonald’s shakes that millions of people order through drive-thru windows every single day. They’re thick, sweet, and taste exactly the same whether you order them in New York City or a small town in Kansas.
What’s interesting about this preference is that Trump has mentioned he likes fast food partly because he believes it’s safer – everything is prepared the same way every time, and there’s less chance for someone to tamper with it. The consistency of chain restaurant items appeals to him, and McDonald’s shakes deliver that predictability in frozen form. They’re made with soft serve ice cream and shake syrup, nothing fancy or complicated. You know exactly what you’re getting every single time. For someone who values that kind of reliability, it makes perfect sense that these would be go-to treats rather than custom-made desserts from high-end establishments.
Cookies and cakes round out the rotation
Beyond the candies and frozen treats, Trump also enjoys traditional baked goods. According to reports, he’s a fan of cookies and cakes, though not necessarily fancy or elaborate ones. These are the kinds of desserts that show up at office parties, family gatherings, and casual get-togethers. There’s no mention of multi-layered French pastries or delicate petit fours – just straightforward American baked goods that most people grew up eating at birthday parties and holiday celebrations.
The appeal of simple cakes and cookies makes sense when you look at his other preferences. They’re familiar, they’re satisfying, and there are no surprises. A chocolate chip cookie tastes like a chocolate chip cookie, and a slice of cake delivers exactly what you expect. For someone who apparently eats a good amount of sweets throughout the day, having these reliable options means never being disappointed by an experimental creation that doesn’t work out. It’s comfort food in dessert form, and there’s something to be said for knowing what you like and sticking with it rather than trying to impress anyone with sophisticated tastes.
Steak dinners end with sundaes
When kids at the White House event asked about Trump’s favorite foods overall, Leavitt painted a picture of pretty classic American eating habits. She mentioned that he enjoys a “big, beautiful steak” for dinner, and when it comes time for dessert afterward, ice cream sundaes are often the choice. These sundaes come loaded with chocolate sauce and various toppings, turning that simple vanilla ice cream into something more substantial. It’s the kind of meal progression you’d find at a steakhouse anywhere in America – protein-heavy main course followed by cold, sweet dessert.
The combination of steak and sundaes represents a pretty traditional approach to eating. There’s no molecular gastronomy, no deconstructed anything, and no ingredients that require explanation. It’s meat and potatoes followed by ice cream and chocolate – the kind of meal that hasn’t changed much in the past fifty years. For someone who could have personal chefs creating elaborate tasting menus, choosing this straightforward approach to dining is almost refreshing. It shows that having access to everything doesn’t necessarily mean wanting everything. Sometimes the classics are classic for a reason, and they don’t need improvement or innovation.
Fast food fits the sweet tooth
Trump’s overall eating habits include a lot of fast food from various chains, and the desserts from these places naturally work their way into his routine. Beyond McDonald’s, there are mentions of KFC and other quick-service restaurants in his regular rotation. These establishments all have dessert options that are designed to be consistent, affordable, and appealing to mass audiences. Whether it’s cookies, pies, or frozen treats, fast food desserts deliver predictable sweetness without any fuss or pretension.
The preference for fast food sweets ties into the same themes that run through all his dessert choices. These items are made the same way every time, they’re individually packaged or portioned, and there’s no guessing about what you’re going to get. A McDonald’s apple pie tastes like a McDonald’s apple pie whether you order it today or six months from now. That reliability appeals to someone who values consistency and has concerns about food preparation. It also means that satisfying a sweet tooth doesn’t require planning or special arrangements – these treats are always available, always familiar, and always exactly what’s expected.
Simple preferences surprise most people
When you compare Trump’s dessert preferences to what other presidents have enjoyed, the simplicity really stands out. Historical records show past presidents favoring things like cherry pie, special cakes, and regional specialties. Some had desserts named after them or associated with their home states. Trump’s list reads more like what you’d find in a typical American household’s pantry and freezer. There are no exotic ingredients, no complicated preparations, and nothing that requires special sourcing or expertise to make.
This approach to sweets reflects a broader pattern in his eating habits that prioritizes the familiar over the fancy. While some people in positions of power develop tastes for expensive wines, rare ingredients, and exclusive dining experiences, these dessert choices suggest the opposite path. They’re democratic in the truest sense – anyone can buy these exact same items at stores across the country. There’s no special access required, no reservations needed, and no secret recipes involved. It’s probably the most relatable aspect of presidential eating habits in modern history, even if the two-scoop ice cream privilege isn’t something most people can negotiate at their own dinner tables.
The next time you’re unwrapping a Pink Starburst or dunking an Oreo in milk, you can take comfort in knowing these simple pleasures are enjoyed at the highest levels. Trump’s dessert preferences prove that sometimes the best sweets are the ones we’ve loved since childhood, the ones that don’t require fancy presentations or complicated ingredient lists. Whether it’s candy from the checkout aisle or ice cream from a fast food window, these treats deliver straightforward satisfaction without any pretense.
