Donald Trump sucks up half a million dollars from plastic straw sales
The US president's plastic straws cost $15 (拢12.33) for a packet of 10.
Wednesday 31 July 2019 04:45, UK
US President Donald Trump's re-election campaign has raised nearly $500,000 (拢411,000) from selling plastic straws.
The straws, which are "laser-engraved" with the president's surname, have been on sale since 19 July, with the first batch selling out within a few hours.
The plastic straws have so far pulled in $460,000 (£378,000) according to Mr Trump's campaign manager Brad Parscale.
The description on the website says that more environmentally-friendly "liberal" paper straws "don't work".
Mr Parscale said the idea for the Trump straws came to him when a paper straw he was using to drink iced tea ripped in half.
On Twitter, Mr Pascale said he hoped to see Mr Trump's supporters using the straws, ending his tweet with the hashtag "#MakeStrawsGreatAgain".
The plastic straws cost $15 (£12.33) for a packet of 10 and the campaign site says they are reusable and recyclable.
Money raised from the sale of the plastic straws will be used by Mr Trump's team as he aims to be re-elected to the White House for a second term in 2020.
Paper straws are becoming more popular following campaigns to reduce single-use plastic usage from organisations such as Sky's Ocean Rescue and environmental groups like Extinction Rebellion.
Back in May, the then Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Secretary Michael Gove banned the use of plastic straws and cotton buds in England. The ban comes into force from April 2020.
Exceptions have been made for those with disabilities who will be able to purchase plastic straws from registered pharmacies and request them in restaurants, bars and cafes.