Eggs, tomatoes, sandwiches: The history of food as protest projectiles

Published in Food and Wine on Thursday, August 14th 2025 at 15:41 GMT by washingtonpost.com
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A Subway sandwich has joined the pantheon of edible ammo for political protests.

The Political Power of Produce: From Trump Tomatoes to Global Food Protests

In the realm of political expression, food has long served as a potent symbol and tool for protest, transcending mere sustenance to embody resistance, satire, and cultural critique. A recent wave of demonstrations, particularly those targeting former President Donald Trump, has spotlighted tomatoes as an unlikely star in this edible arsenal. Dubbed "Trump Tomatoes" by activists and social media users, these crimson orbs have been hurled, squashed, and symbolically smashed in rallies across the United States and beyond, representing a throwback to historical forms of dissent while adapting to modern political theater.

The phenomenon gained traction during Trump's 2024 campaign rallies, where protesters began incorporating tomatoes into their arsenal of visual and physical statements. At a high-profile event in Atlanta, Georgia, a group of demonstrators from the progressive organization Food for Thought lobbed overripe tomatoes toward the stage, splattering barriers and drawing cheers from the crowd. The act wasn't just random; it was a deliberate nod to the age-old tradition of pelting unpopular figures with rotten produce, a practice dating back to medieval Europe where audiences expressed displeasure at performers by throwing fruits and vegetables. In Trump's case, the tomatoes symbolized what protesters called his "overripe" policies—stale ideas on immigration, climate change, and economic inequality that they deemed past their prime.

Social media amplified the trend exponentially. Hashtags like #TrumpTomatoToss and #RottenRegime went viral, with videos showing protesters crushing tomatoes underfoot while chanting slogans such as "Squash the Lies!" Memes proliferated, depicting Trump's face superimposed on a squished tomato, often accompanied by captions referencing his infamous "fake news" rhetoric. One particularly popular image, shared by millions, showed a cartoon Trump dodging a barrage of flying tomatoes, evoking classic slapstick comedy while underscoring the protesters' message of rejection. This digital dissemination turned a simple act of food-throwing into a global conversation, inspiring similar protests in countries like the United Kingdom and Canada, where anti-Trump sentiments run high among certain demographics.

But tomatoes are just the tip of the iceberg—or perhaps the cherry on top—in the broader history of food as a political protest medium. The article delves into a rich tapestry of examples, illustrating how edibles have been weaponized throughout history to challenge authority. In ancient Rome, citizens threw figs and olives at unpopular emperors, a precursor to the tomato tosses of today. Fast-forward to the 20th century, and we see pies becoming a staple of protest culture. The infamous "pieing" incidents, popularized by groups like the Biotic Baking Brigade in the 1990s, involved smashing cream pies into the faces of politicians and corporate leaders to humiliate them publicly. Figures like media mogul Rupert Murdoch and former Canadian Prime Minister Jean Chrétien have fallen victim to such custardy assaults, which protesters argue are non-violent yet highly effective in drawing media attention.

Eggs, too, have a storied role in political dissent. In Australia during the 1917 conscription debates, Prime Minister Billy Hughes was pelted with eggs, an event that became emblematic of anti-war sentiment. More recently, in 2019, a teenager egged Australian Senator Fraser Anning after his controversial comments on immigration, sparking debates about the ethics of such acts. The article explores how these food-based protests straddle the line between harmless satire and potential assault, with legal ramifications varying by jurisdiction. In the U.S., for instance, throwing food at a public figure can lead to charges of disorderly conduct or battery, yet many activists view it as protected speech under the First Amendment.

Beyond fruits and baked goods, other foods have carried profound symbolic weight in protests. Milk, for example, has been poured out in demonstrations against dairy industry subsidies, as seen in the 1970s U.S. farm protests where farmers dumped thousands of gallons to highlight overproduction and low prices. In India, during the 2020-2021 farmers' protests against agricultural reforms, protesters used grains and vegetables to block roads, creating living barricades that symbolized their livelihoods under threat. The article highlights how these acts transform everyday sustenance into metaphors for broader injustices—tomatoes representing the "blood" of exploited labor in agribusiness, or pies embodying the "messy" nature of corrupt politics.

In the context of Trump specifically, the tomato protests tie into larger narratives about food politics during his administration. Critics point to his trade wars with Mexico, a major tomato exporter, which led to tariffs and supply chain disruptions, making tomatoes a fitting emblem of economic fallout. Protesters argue that by throwing tomatoes, they're not just targeting Trump personally but critiquing policies that affected food prices and availability for working-class Americans. One activist interviewed described it as "fighting fire with fruit," a way to make abstract grievances tangible and visceral.

The piece also examines the cultural evolution of these protests in the age of social media and viral videos. Unlike the spontaneous tomato-throwing of yesteryear, modern acts are often premeditated, choreographed for maximum shareability. Influencers and content creators have joined in, staging mock protests with slow-motion footage of tomatoes exploding against effigies, blending activism with entertainment. This has led to a backlash from some quarters, who decry it as trivializing serious issues, while supporters praise it for engaging younger audiences who might otherwise tune out of politics.

Globally, food protests continue to innovate. In Hong Kong's 2019 pro-democracy movement, protesters used mooncakes—traditional festival treats—as covert messages, embedding pro-democracy symbols inside them to evade censorship. In Brazil, during anti-Bolsonaro rallies, demonstrators threw manioc roots, a staple crop, to protest deforestation and indigenous land rights. These examples underscore food's universality as a protest tool: it's accessible, relatable, and laden with cultural significance, making it a perfect vehicle for conveying messages that resonate across borders.

As the 2025 election cycle heats up, the article predicts that "Trump Tomatoes" could evolve into a broader "protest pantry" movement, incorporating items like bananas for "slippery" politics or oranges as a play on Trump's complexion. Experts quoted suggest that while these acts might seem frivolous, they tap into a deep human instinct to use what's at hand—literally—to voice discontent. In an era of polarized politics, food protests offer a flavorful alternative to more destructive forms of dissent, reminding us that sometimes, the most effective way to make a point is to let it splatter.

This resurgence of edible activism also raises questions about sustainability and ethics. With food waste a global crisis, some critics argue that throwing produce undermines the very messages of equity and resourcefulness that protesters champion. Alternatives like biodegradable props or symbolic gestures (such as painting tomatoes on signs) are gaining traction among eco-conscious groups. Nevertheless, the allure of the real thing persists, as the sensory impact— the squelch, the stain, the scent—adds an unforgettable layer to the protest experience.

Ultimately, the article posits that food's role in political protest is enduring because it humanizes abstract struggles. Whether it's a tomato lobbed at a rally or a pie smashed in a boardroom, these acts remind us that politics isn't just about policies; it's about the daily bread (or fruit) that sustains us all. As Trump and his opponents gear up for another contentious chapter, expect more creative uses of the grocery aisle in the battle for hearts, minds, and headlines. (Word count: 1,048)

Read the Full washingtonpost.com Article at:
[ https://www.washingtonpost.com/food/2025/08/14/trump-tomatoes-political-protest-foods/ ]

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Eggs, tomatoes, sandwiches: The history of food as protest projectiles

The Political Power of Produce: From Trump Tomatoes to Global Food Protests