Former President Donald Trump’s method of eating pizza by scraping off the toppings and leaving the crust behind reveals yet another facet of his distinctive public persona that continues to capture media attention.
At a Glance
- Donald Trump has a unique pizza-eating habit where he uses utensils to eat only the toppings while avoiding the crust
- He claims this practice helps keep his weight down, similar to ordering burgers with only half a bun
- This unconventional approach first gained public attention in 2010 and later during a 2011 outing with Sarah Palin
- Despite his typical aversion to crust, Trump has occasionally been seen eating the entire slice, showcasing his evolving public image
- Trump appeared in a 1995 Pizza Hut commercial with his ex-wife Ivana, promoting stuffed crust pizza three years before its official debut
Trump’s Unconventional Pizza Approach
Former President Donald Trump’s dietary preferences have long been a subject of public fascination, from his well-done steaks to his fondness for fast food. Among these culinary quirks, his pizza-eating method stands out as particularly distinctive. Rather than consuming a slice in the traditional manner, Trump employs a knife and fork to separate the toppings from the crust, discarding the latter entirely. This habit first came to light in a 2010 Us Weekly article and gained widespread attention following a highly publicized outing with Sarah Palin at Famous Famiglia pizzeria in Times Square in 2011.
“I scrape the toppings off my pizza — I never eat the dough”, said Donald Trump.
Trump has maintained that this practice is motivated by health concerns, specifically to manage his weight. This approach aligns with his other documented eating habits, such as consuming only half the bun of a hamburger. While these practices might seem unusual to many, they’ve become part of the former president’s well-established public image, demonstrating how even mundane personal choices can become defining characteristics for public figures.
The Health Rationale Behind Trump’s Pizza Habits
Trump’s claimed health motivation for avoiding pizza crust raises questions about nutritional effectiveness. While eliminating the crust does reduce carbohydrate intake, nutrition experts point out that pizza toppings often contain significant amounts of calories, fat, and sodium. Cheese, processed meats, and oils that make up the toppings Trump does consume can contribute substantially to weight gain and are associated with health issues including heart disease and obesity when consumed in excess.
The definition of a “healthy” pizza varies widely depending on dietary preferences. For those following low-carb or ketogenic diets, Trump’s approach might align with their nutritional goals. However, nutrition professionals generally recommend moderation rather than elimination when consuming pizza, suggesting limiting portion sizes and frequency rather than adopting unusual eating methods. Making homemade pizza with carefully selected ingredients offers more control over nutritional content than Trump’s topping-scraping technique.
Exceptions to Trump’s Pizza Rules
Despite his well-documented aversion to pizza crust, Trump has occasionally deviated from this practice in ways that have captured public attention. In 2023, during an appearance at Downtown House of Pizza, he was seen consuming the entire slice, crust included, contrasting with his typical method. This inconsistency demonstrates the evolving nature of his public persona and how even small details about eating habits can become noteworthy when associated with prominent public figures.
Perhaps the most famous exception to Trump’s no-crust rule came in a 1995 Pizza Hut commercial featuring him alongside his then-ex-wife Ivana. The advertisement promoted stuffed crust pizza, with Trump delivering the controversial line, “Actually, you’re only entitled to half,” referencing their divorce. This line was reportedly included at Trump’s insistence, showcasing his understanding of how to leverage personal controversy for publicity. The commercial aired three years before Pizza Hut’s official stuffed crust debut, highlighting Trump’s long history of generating media attention through unexpected channels.
“Actually, you’re only entitled to half”, concludes Trump.
