Trump picks on corn syrup, but Iowa GOP turns a deaf ear

It’s easy to tell Iowa’s top Republicans are sweet on Donald Trump, to the point where cavities are a real possibility.

We received some fresh evidence this past week.

President Trump took to his Truth Social site and bragged he had convinced Coca Cola to switch from high fructose corn syrup to “REAL Cane Sugar.”

"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’s post said. “I’d like to thank all of those in authority at Coca-Cola.”

He also posted “This will be a very good move by them – You’ll see. It’s just better.”

At first, Coca Cola didn’t confirm or deny Trump’s cane sugar offensive. But later in the week the soda maker announced it will be adding a cane-sugar-sweetened version of Coke for sale in the United States this fall.

Does Trump’s power know no end?

The Corn Refiners Association, according to the New York Times, argues a switch to sugar could lead to the loss of thousands of jobs and billions of dollars in revenue nationwide. Corn syrup processing uses about 3 or 4 percent of the U.S. corn crop. Amid low commodity prices, that market is important to processors and farmers.

All that overproduced corn has got to go somewhere. We already know where the fertilizer used to grow It goes – into our waterways.

Top Iowa Republicans usually have a hair trigger for any perceived slight to the state’s agricultural economy. But in this case, it seems none of those politicians has said a word about Trump’s sugar switch. Trump bloviated against high fructose corn syrup and nary a complaint was heard.

So, Trump came for rural hospitals, public broadcasting in rural areas, rural renewable energy projects, federal education grants for rural schools, USDA conservation funds for farmers, rural housing funding and overseas farm markets that would be damaged by tariffs.

Then he came for the corn syrup. And yet, Iowa Republicans’ support never goes flat.

That’s odd, considering the history.

Just this past week, Rep. Ashley Hinson ballyhooed the “Save our Bacon Act,” which would scrap hog production rules approved by California voters. “Out-of-touch activists” want breeding pigs to have more space to move. They obviously have not examined the creature comforts of large livestock confinement operations.

What’s raised Iowa’s hackles is the California law restricts the sale of confinement-raised pork. All of Iowa’s Republican House delegation signed onto Hinson’s bacon battle cry. Gov. Kim Reynolds also joined the chorus.

Hinson previously went after Microsoft founder Bill Gates after he said in an interview a switch to synthetic meat could help the fight against climate change.

“Billionaire liberal elitists like Bill Gates want Americans to eat 100% synthetic beef. Not going to happen,” Hinson said.

In 2024, Reynolds signed state legislation banning the mislabeling of lab-grown and plant-based meat products. They must be labeled clearly as fake. Sort of like Trump’s love for rural America.

It was also Reynolds who once proclaimed “Meat on the Table Month” just because Colorado Gov. Jared Polis, a Democrat, signed a MeatOut proclamation touting the health benefits of a plant-based diet. Reynolds blamed “ill-informed politicians and social media influencers,” for telling meat lies.

Who can forget the dust-up in the wake of a 2019 Bud Light Super Bowl ad that bragged the beer contains no corn syrup? It was more exciting than the game.

Before all of that, in 2012, the U.S. Department of Agriculture floated the idea of “meatless Mondays” in its cafeteria. Iowa politicians went apoplectic.

"I will eat more meat on Monday to compensate for stupid USDA recommendation about a meatless Monday," Sen. Chuck Grassley tweeted.

"USDA HQ meatless Mondays!!! At the Dept. Of Agriculture? Heresy! I'm not grazing there. I will have double rib-eye Mondays instead,” said former Rep. Steve King.

Before any Iowa politician got meat sweats, the USDA dropped the idea.

Trump is a billionaire, an ill-informed politician and a social media influencer. And yet, Iowa Republicans remain silent.

After all, whatever they say could be used against them by a vindictive president. Their political careers depend on remaining in dear leader’s good graces.

But is cane-sugar Coke better?

From a nutritional standpoint, there’s very little difference between corn sweetener and sugar. Your humble columnist has tried “Mexican Coke,” which is made with sugar and imported from Mexico. I have to say, it does taste better, but only marginally so.

It’s sold in glass bottles, which is apparently the best receptacle for pop.

The elimination of high fructose corn syrup is called for under MAHA or make America Healthy Again. Secretary of Health and Human Services Robert Kennedy, Jr. is among the harshest critics of corn sweetener. He’s called for a ban. But his brain worm loved the stuff.

Corn sweetener is cheap and plentiful, making it perfect for a massive array of sweetened, processed foods and drinks researchers blame for a growing obesity epidemic. But, again, cane sugar will not make us thin.

Also, sugar likely will have to be imported, making that sugar Coke more expensive.

It will be interesting to see what Iowa Republicans say when Trump’s masked militia is deporting hundreds of meatpacking and farm workers. Surely, they will condemn the crippling blow being sustained by Iowa agriculture.

Or they’ll offer a timid protest, while praising Trump’s immigration crackdown.

I’ll take door No. 2.

Now, if you’ll excuse me, I need to brush my teeth.

(319) 398-8262; todd.dorman@thegazette.com