Rethinking The Ritual: Trump’s Choice Not To Drink And Why America’s Drinking Culture Needs A Second Look

Recent research has made one thing abundantly clear: alcohol is bad for you, period. It affects nearly every system of your body, from your liver to your brain, from your hormones to your gut. Yet drinking remains deeply ingrained in our lives. Champagne to celebrate, wine to unwind, cocktails with friends... Drinking is often viewed as a social obligation, a marker of sophistication, or even an act of politeness. 

President Donald Trump doesn’t partake in the Gilded Vice after witnessing the devastating effects of alcoholism on his brother, whose struggles eventually led to his passing. Trump vowed never to drink. Whether or not one agrees with his politics, this decision challenges a societal norm many of us turn a blind eye to. 

Last year, during Lent, I gave up alcohol for 40 days just to see how I would feel without the occasional social lubricant. I slept better, felt consistently more energetic, and never had to experience hangxiety (anxiety the day after drinking due to an increase in cortisol). But when I was poured a glass of champagne at a family dinner, and everyone raised a glass to cheers, I took my first sip of alcohol in over a month. Not because I wanted to drink, but because I didn’t want to come across as rude.  

One can’t help but think: why is it that saying no to alcohol feels so unusual or even a bit offensive? Could it be that we’ve gotten too comfortable with something that might actually need a little reconsideration?  

I turned to history, as I often do (I wrote two other articles for Evie on the history of antidepressant use among women and the history of the rise of atheism in the West), to answer how alcohol became so entrenched in our lives and culture. 

The Historical Roots of Alcohol 

Alcohol has been a part of human history for thousands of years, deeply intertwined with religion and social gatherings. The first evidence of alcohol production dates back to around 7000–6600 BCE in Jiahu, a Neolithic village in China's Yellow River Valley. Archaeologists discovered residues of a fermented drink made from rice, honey, and hawthorn fruit in ancient pottery jars. 

Moving westward, the Sumerians of Mesopotamia (modern-day Iraq) created the first recorded evidence of beer around 3400 BCE. Beer was so integral to their lives that they dedicated a hymn to Ninkasi, the goddess of beer. Similarly, the ancient Egyptians incorporated beer into their daily rituals and wine as offerings to their gods. 

In Greece and Rome, alcohol became synonymous with social and intellectual life. The Greeks celebrated wine as a gift from the god Dionysus, using it in their symposium event where drinking was paired with philosophical discussions and entertainment. The Romans upheld this tradition, making wine consumption a symbol of refinement and social standing. 

Alcohol maintained its importance in European society during the medieval period. Monasteries became hubs of brewing innovation, producing beer and wine with techniques that are still used today. Ale and beer were staples of daily life in the Middle Ages. These golden pours not only provided nourishment but also contributed to the communal and spiritual life of the time. 

When Europeans settled in North America they brought their alcohol traditions with them. In pre-and post-revolutionary America, rum and whiskey became central to trade and daily life. Taverns served as social hubs, where people gathered to exchange news and debate politics over a drink. 

Prohibition and The American Relationship with Alcohol 

Wartime prohibition began in 1917 and aimed at rationing grain supplies during World War I when food shortages were a growing concern. In 1920, the 18th Amendment officially prohibited the making of, sale, and distribution of alcohol throughout the United States. However, rather than eradicating alcohol consumption, Prohibition fueled a cultural shift. Underground speakeasies flourished, turning drinking into an act of rebellion. The discreet nature of alcohol consumption gave it an air of glamour and excitement, captured in the parties of the Roaring Twenties. Figures like Al Capone and the era’s secretive drinking culture turned alcohol into a symbol of freedom and defiance. 

Far from achieving its goal, Prohibition’s unintended consequences included the rise of organized crime and widespread public disregard for the law. Enforcement was nearly impossible, and by 1933, the 21st Amendment repealed Prohibition entirely. Instead of eliminating alcohol, this period cemented its place as a cultural cornerstone in America. The allure of forbidden cocktails and the romanticized rebellion associated with drinking endured, leaving a legacy that shaped how alcohol was perceived for decades to come. 

Fast forward to today, though Americans aged 15 and up drink three-fourths as much alcohol as their European counterparts, they are statistically more likely to suffer alcohol-related deaths, including fatal accidents. This dichotomy raises questions about how cultural attitudes toward drinking shape not just behavior but consequences. In Europe, alcohol is often introduced early in small quantities, while in America, binge drinking and risky behaviors are more common. Perhaps a lingering legacy of Prohibition’s stigma and the thrill of excess. 

Rethinking Alcohol: Freedom, Informed Consent & Intentionality 

Donald Trump, one of the few modern presidents to abstain completely from alcohol, made this decision in response to personal tragedy. His older brother, Fred Trump Jr., struggled with alcoholism, which ultimately led to his untimely death. This loss profoundly shaped Trump’s commitment to never touch alcohol, offering a striking example in a culture where drinking is often viewed as a rite of passage, a marker of sophistication, or a social norm. Whatever one’s opinion of Trump may be, his choice challenges Americans to rethink their relationship with alcohol. Could moderation, or even abstinence, be a sign of strength in a society that often equates drinking with social success? 

As someone who is half French and half American, I’ve experienced the stark contrast between drinking cultures in these two countries. In France, alcohol is typically used to complement a meal or mark a special occasion. A glass of red wine might enhance the flavors of dinner, while champagne is reserved for symbolic celebrations. Binge drinking is less common, and alcohol is rarely the main event. When I moved to the U.S. for my undergraduate studies, I was struck by how normalized excessive drinking was. Parties revolved around shots and beer pong, and even casual nights out often included far more alcohol than I was accustomed to seeing. The contrast was glaring: in the U.S., drinking seemed to be less about savoring and more about excess. 

These cultural differences have shaped how I approach alcohol today. While I occasionally indulge in a good glass of wine, an ancestral pleasure, I prioritize moderation. At 25, living in London where the pub and drinking culture is as strong as it is in the U.S., social occasions often revolve around drinking. Yet, I rarely drink more than once a week, and when I do drink it’s intentional and mindful. 

As a women’s health specialist, I’ve become very aware of how alcohol uniquely affects women. Women metabolize alcohol differently than men, making them more susceptible to its harmful effects, including hormone imbalances, reduced fertility, increased cortisol, and a higher risk of certain cancers. With this knowledge, I’ve developed habits to support my body when I choose to drink: daily supplements like NAC (N-acetyl cysteine), milk thistle, and electrolytes to mitigate short-term effects, alongside probiotics, omega-3s, and turmeric for long-term support.  

In this reel, I provide more tips on how to take care of your body if you do choose to drink occasionally. I share more health advice like this daily to help women prioritize their wellbeing in a way that feels balanced, attainable, and enjoyable. 

Looking into the extensive history of alcohol in the West, there are valuable lessons to be learned. The Prohibition era in the U.S. offers a powerful reminder that restricting individual freedoms without addressing the root causes of behavior often backfires. Attempts to control alcohol consumption during that time only drove drinking underground, fueling organized crime and glamorizing rebellion. 

What history teaches us is that the real power lies in informed consent and personal responsibility. When people are given the freedom to choose alongside evidence-based information about the consequences of their decisions, they’re more likely to act in ways that align with their values and health goals. Alcohol, while long celebrated as a social lubricant and cultural staple, deserves a more intentional approach in today’s world. Simple changes like drinking mindfully, prioritizing moderation, and supporting your body with healthy habits can help you make choices that truly serve you. 

Whether you choose to drink or abstain, the key is to align your decisions with your own goals and values. Trump’s choice not to drink serves as a poignant reminder: living authentically doesn’t require conforming to societal expectations. Instead, it’s about finding balance and making choices that reflect your truest self.