President Trump has a famous affinity for Diet Coke, which uses aspartame, a low-calorie artificial sweetener. He has reinstalled a button on the Oval Office desk that alerts White House staff when he wants a fresh can of Diet Coke.

“I have been speaking to Coca-Cola about using REAL Cane Sugar in Coke in the United States, and they have agreed to do so,” Trump wrote on Truth Social. “I’d like to thank all of those in authority at Coca-Cola. This will be a very good move by them — You’ll see. It’s just better!”

Coca-Cola refused to confirm the president’s claim that he got it to switch to cane sugar. And now it’s defending high-fructose corn syrup.

Democrats and independents say Trump's cuts to Medicaid and wind power, plus a push for cane sugar over corn syrup, are alienating voters in this farm state.