Donald Trump’s embattled Turnberry resort in Scotland phased out plastic straws over the summer

Trump’s Turnberry resort in Scotland switched to paper straws over the summer, around the same time the president was publicly bashing the eco-friendly substitute.

The switch made by his resort in Scotland to the environmentally friendly straws suggests the operation and decision making is independent from its owner.

The snack bar near the golf course’s famous lighthouse has also switch to bamboo cutlery – another eco-friendly alternative to plastic utensils. Some customers have complained about the move, especially when eating soup. 

The move by Turnberry is not unique, as several places in the United Kingdom have begun phasing out plastic straws in anticipation of a total ban, coming next year. 

As of next April it will be illegal for establishments in the U.K. to provide or sell plastic straws, drink stirrer and plastic cotton swabs to their customers, its government confirmed after 80 per cent of people voted in support of the move.

A day after the president’s campaign began selling Trump-engraved plastic straws on its website in mid-July, Trump told reporters the country has ‘bigger problems’ to worry about than banning plastic straws. 

The switch came as Donald Trump bashed the ‘liberal’ initiative over the summer for pushing paper straws, claiming the country has ‘bigger problems’ to worry about

He also claimed that paper straws ‘don’t work,’ and the switch at Turnberry suggests the president is no longer involved in the business operations of his properties. He has come under fire after it was revealed that more than 60 military members have stayed at the Scottish resort since last September

He labeled them as just another liberal proposal that doesn’t work.

The campaign raised more than $200,000 in July by selling out of its $15 set of 10 red plastic straws after Trump publicly bashed the biodegradable alternative.

‘We have sold more than 140,000 straws,’ Trump’s 2020 reelection campaign manager Brad Parscale touted at the time. ‘That is over $200,000 raised.’

‘You know, it’s interesting about plastic straws,’ Trump said in his remarks to the press from the White House. ‘So you have a little straw, but what about the plates, the wrappers and everything else that are much bigger, and they’re made of the same material? So the straws are interesting. Everybody focuses on the straws. There’s a lot of things to focus – but it’s an interesting question.’

Trump has come under fire recently after it was revealed that during at least four different known trips, more than 60 military personnel stayed at Trump Turnberry – contributing to taxpayer money going toward the president’s personal businesses. 

Trump’s campaign began selling Trump-branded plastic straws on its website over the summer, and still sells the $15 red straws in packs of 10

He claimed that he didn’t know about the military use of Turnberry and claimed he wasn’t involved in the decision for them to stop there for overnight stays during refueling at an airport 20 miles away. 

A report earlier this month, however, revealed that Trump reached a deal with Glasgow Prestwick Airport in 2014, two years before he became president, to boost air traffic and tourism in the area to the benefit of both the airport and his resort.

A year after then-businessman Trump made the deal, the Pentagon decided to ramp up its use of the airport for refueling Air Force flights – especially those en route to the Middle East. It also gave the airport the responsibility of finding accommodations for crews who had to stay overnight in Scotland.

Amid the controversy, including a stay by Vice President Mike Pence at Trump’s Doonbeg resort in Ireland at the start of September, Trump has maintained that he isn’t involved in running the Trump Organization.