Trump drank Diet Coke while watching Capitol riot on TV, Internet likens it to 'Nero watching Rome burn'

On January 6, 2021, Donald Trump watched the Capitol riot on TV while having a Diet Coke, as revealed in newly unsealed Jack Smith documents
UPDATED OCT 20, 2024
Donald Trump reportedly asked for a Diet Coke on January 6, 2021, when his supporters attacked the Capitol (Scott Olson/Getty Images, Getty Images)
Donald Trump reportedly asked for a Diet Coke on January 6, 2021, when his supporters attacked the Capitol (Scott Olson/Getty Images, Getty Images)

WASHINGTON, DC: New insights into former president Donald Trump's infamous final days in the White House continue to emerge as he is close to knowing the fate of his third presidential bid.

The 45th president was indicted in Washington DC for allegedly attempting to overturn the 2020 election results, including instigating his supporters to attack the Capitol building on January 6, 2021.

When the pro-Trump protesters unleashed a violent riot at the Capitol with the chants "Hang Mike Pence," Trump was reportedly craving a Diet Coke while watching the insurrection on television, as per The Daily Beast.

Unsealed Jack Smith documents reveal what Donald Trump did when the Capitol was attacked



 

The new allegation that Donald Trump had a Diet Coke on January 6, 2021, was mentioned in the newly unsealed document written by Special Counsel Jack Smith's team. The documents were made public on Friday, October 18, despite the former president's request to postpone it until after November 5, Election Day.

The hundreds of pages containing evidence Smith would use in the prosecution against Trump include a transcript of a White House staff's purported conversation with the then-president after his speech at the Ellipse that same day.

WASHINGTON, DC - JANUARY 06: President Donald Trump arrives at the
Donald Trump allegedly instigated the Capitol riot during his speech to supporters on January 6, 2021 (Getty Images)

The anonymous staffer recounted how he told Trump that news channels were broadcasting the "rioting down at the Capitol," cutting off his speech.

The staffer removed Trump's coat and made arrangements so that the MAGA leader could watch TV in the Oval Office dining room, where he watched his speech, asking his followers to "fight like hell," and then the insurrection.

"I stepped out to get him a Diet Coke, come back in, and that’s pretty much it for me as he’s watching it, like, seeing it for himself," the unnamed staffer said.

The other unsealed documents contained either heavily redacted details or already available ones, including excerpts from former Vice President Mike Pence's book and Trump's social media remarks. Evidence on a memo lawyer John Eastman made, for Pence to deny the certification of President Joe Biden's victory, was also made public.

WASHINGTON, DC - JANUARY 6: Pro-Trump protesters gather in front of the U.S. Capitol Building on Jan
Pro-Trump supporters stormed the Capitol on January 6, 2021, to prevent the certification of President Joe Biden's 2020 victory (Getty Images)

The election interference case against Trump turned controversial after the US Supreme Court ruled his official acts were protected by presidential immunity. Nevertheless, Smith continued with his efforts to prove that Trump's attempt to overturn the election result was not in his official capacity.

Internet blasts Donald Trump for having Diet Coke while his supporters stormed the Capitol

Netizens brutally slammed Donald Trump's nonchalance during the Capitol riot as he repeatedly chose to enjoy a Diet Coke instead of doing his duties as a president.

"Nero watches Rome burn," a user wrote.

"He was watching the events unfold as if it were some type of nightly TV show. Sad," another opined.



 



 

"The modern day equivalent of Nero fiddling while Rome burned," added a user.

"No urgency from Trump. Every other president in history would be acting immediately to send help if they saw a riot happening at The Capitol," read one response.

"This proves the claim that Trump did nothing for 3 hours wrong," another user said.



 



 



 

"The President of the USA, just sitting there, watching it, while he pours Diet Coke down his ugly mouth," an individual remarked.

"His inaction is shameful. But... he watches his own speeches when he's done?" one user chimed in.

"While people were beat, suffering and dying he watched like a sporting event. Karma will be his downfall," someone else commented on Facebook.



 



 

This article contains remarks made on the Internet by individual people and organizations. MEAWW cannot confirm them independently and does not support claims or opinions being made online.

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