‘Back to plastic’: Donald Trump vows to end Joe Biden’s ‘ridiculous’ paper straw initiative

Elon Musk has described Donald Trump as the “greatest president ever” after he promised to reverse a controversial ban.

US President Donald Trump announced on Friday that he will soon sign an executive order ending the Biden administration’s initiative to ban plastic straws across the federal government.

“I will be signing an Executive Order next week ending the ridiculous Biden push for Paper Straws, which don’t work,” the president, 78, wrote on Truth Social, according to the New York Post.

“BACK TO PLASTIC!”

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Mr Trump appeared to be referring to former President Joe Biden’s July 2024 promise to “phase out” single-use plastics — including straws, cutlery and cups — in federal departments.

The ban would have also covered all packaging and food service operations, with the end of procurement due in 2027.

US President Donald Trump has vowed to reverse the plastic ban. Picture: Jim Watson/AFP

Former President Joe Biden promised in July 2024 to ‘phase out’ single-use plastics. Picture: Brendan Smialowski/AFP

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“Plastic production and waste have doubled over the past two decades, littering our ocean, poisoning the air of communities near production facilities, and threatening public health,” a contemporary White House fact sheet stated.

Environmentalists have long railed against single-use plastics as wasteful and dangerous to sea turtles and other ocean wildlife.

Mr Trump expressed his annoyance at the push back in 2020, during his failed re-election bid.

“They want to ban straws. Has anyone tried those paper straws? They’re not working too good,” he said during one event.

Mr Trump described the ban as ‘ridiculous’. Picture: iStock

Elon Musk was full of praise for Mr Trump. Picture: Angela Weiss/AFP

“It disintegrates as you drink it.”

Mr Trump’s announcement was praised by Republicans and conservatives like Senator Markwayne Mullin, who wrote on X: “If radical environmentalists want to ‘end all plastic’, they should quit using it”.

“It may be facile junior high election stuff but acting (or even just posting) on a steady stream of annoying, relatable issues in your daily life is pretty good low calorie politics,” wrote government relations strategist Liam Donovan.

Greatest President ever! pic.twitter.com/U8BuPVwSwd

— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) February 7, 2025

“I guess what I’m saying is make incandescent light bulbs great again,” he added.

“The United States contributes a minuscule share of the plastic waste in the oceans,” added UnHerd US editor Sohrab Ahmari.

“Enough with making life miserable for ordinary people in the name of these boutique causes.”

Tesla CEO and so-called “First Buddy” Elon Musk also expressed support for the move, posting on X in response to Mr Trump’s announcement that he was the “Greatest President ever!”

This article originally appeared in the New York Post and has been reproduced with permission

Originally published as ‘Back to plastic’: Donald Trump vows to end Joe Biden’s ‘ridiculous’ paper straw initiative