Amid trade wars and international tensions, there is one more priority that has been somewhat of an obsession for Donald Trump and that he is now remedying: the water pressure in his shower that, for his tastes, is not strong enough.
With a new executive order, the President has overturned the limit imposed by Barack Obama and reaffirmed by Joe Biden, which set the maximum flow at about 2.5 gallons per minute. With this measure, the White House aims to “restore the freedom of the shower” and put an end to what has been called a long period of water restrictions introduced by previous administrations.
Trump’s obsession with the issue was turned into one of the symbols of his crusade against federal regulations. He stated that just to wet his hair, he needs to stay under the water for at least 15 minutes, calling the current flow ridiculous. The obsessive care for his golden locks requires a “real” shower, not just a trickle.
While the story may appear to be humorous, it is indeed on a very serious subject, as the newly signed regulation expands its scope to sinks and toilets, opposing the water-saving standards introduced to conserve the precious liquid and reduce environmental impact. Washington emphasized that this measure is part of the commitment to eliminate “unnecessary regulations” and put Americans at the center.
However, some observers do not seem to share the same enthusiasm. Andrew deLaski, executive director of the Appliance Standards Awareness Project, a U.S. nonprofit organization promoting sustainability, commented that it was surprising to see a presidential memorandum include shower heads and toilets among the priorities.
This is not the first time that “The Donald” has lashed out against water-saving laws. Back in 2019, he complained that, due to low pressure, people were forced to flush the toilet ten or fifteen times. And in 2023, he reiterated that in modern homes, water flows “so slowly” that it doesn’t allow for proper hygiene.
During his first term, the politician had already removed stricter energy efficiency standards for light bulbs, justifying it with the need to offer consumers more freedom of choice. Even then, his decisions were harshly criticized: Xavier Becerra, then Attorney General of California, called them “a stupid move that would lead to energy waste at the planet’s expense.”
With this new executive order, the GOP leader reaffirms one of his most unusual but symbolic battles. For some, the gesture represents a newfound individual freedom. For others, it’s a step backward that overlooks the urgent environmental challenges of the present.
