The internet is going ape over a photo of Donald Trump’s office that reveals what appears to be a Coke bottle in the background (partially obscured by his phone at lower right).

Why is this a big deal?

Because Trump has called for his followers to boycott Coca-Cola over its support of the company came out against Georgia’s new restrictive voting law.

I repeat: Why is this a big deal?

After five years, we’re still trying to shame Donald Trump? Really? And over having a Coke bottle in his office? This is what we’re resorting to now?

Be honest: How many of you have said you were going to boycott something, then caved to your cravings and not owned up to it? This is about the tamest form of hypocrisy there is, even for a normal person. Not to mention a politician. Or Donald Trump.

It’s good for a laugh, but it proves absolutely nothing about him.

If Trump is saying, “do as I say, not as I do” about Coke and acting as if the rules don’t apply to him, how is that some great revelation. If we know nothing else about this man, we know he thinks the rules don’t apply to him.  This is a man who:

• Boasted about grabbing women’s genitals and kissing them without permission, because he’s “a star.” You can’t (and shouldn’t be able to) do that, but he can. And get away with it, too.

• Implied he’d withhold something that doesn’t belong to him from a foreign government if they don’t do what he wants. Don’t try that at home, or anywhere else, if your name isn’t Trump.

• Thinks he can shoot someone on Fifth Avenue and get away with it. Again, don’t you try that. It’s not advisable. Not only will you get in trouble, but it’s a downright evil thing to do.

• Can declare bankruptcy for his companies repeatedly and still have banks lend him huge sums of money. You think you can do that? Give it a shot. Never hurts to try.

• Votes by mail, even though he said you shouldn’t be able to.

• Encouraged lawmakers, appointed officials, conspiracy theorists, and white supremacists to overthrow a legal and certified election, all while complaining about virtually nonexistent voter fraud. You can’t do that, either, nor should you.

• Thinks he shouldn’t have to pay taxes because he’s smart, but you should because you’re stupid. Actually, it’s because he can afford accountants who know how to get around the system, and you can’t.

• Reveled in the power to give his friends “get out of jail free” cards (aka pardons). You can’t do that.

And you think Cokegate is some great revelation? That it shows us some deep new insight into Trump’s character, or lack thereof? That he’s finally been exposed? By a Coke bottle?

The American people, and Republicans in particular, have let Trump get away with everything short of murder (although COVID deaths could qualify as negligent homicide). Calling Trump out for a Coke bottle on his desk is like rejoicing about catching Jeffrey Dahmer jaywalking.

I suppose it’s something, but it doesn’t amount to a hill of Goya beans in the grand scheme of things. It’s just a case of us trying to feel better about things he’s gotten away: things that are so sick and disgusting we don’t want to think about them because they still make our stomachs turn.

And they should. A little carbonation from a Coke bottle isn’t, and shouldn’t be, enough to change that.

Stephen H. Provost is a former journalist and author of three books about the Trump presidency, available on Amazon.