Trump: ‘We have bigger problems than plastic straws’

President Trump on Friday questioned the push by a number of municipalities to ban plastic straws, suggesting that there are “bigger problems” such as wrappers and plates made of the same material.

Trump was asked as he departed the White House for New Jersey whether he is in favor of banning plastic straws. The question came as his campaign began selling plastic straws in response to growing bans on the items among local governments and businesses for environmental reasons.

“I do think we have bigger problems than plastic straws,” he said. “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?”

“Everybody focuses on the straws,” he added. “There’s a lot of other things to focus, but it’s an interesting question.”

Local municipalities have banned single-use plastic straws in an effort to curb waste and keep the items from harming the environment. The movement has steadily spread over the past few years, and sports teams and other organizations have also stopped using the products.

Businesses including McDonald’s and Starbucks have also worked to use fewer plastic straws, with the fast-food coffee chain eliminating them completely from their stores by 2020.

Trump’s 2020 reelection campaign announced this week it is selling branded plastic straws that are “laser engraved” with Trump’s name.