Just days after pledging to “make America healthy again,” U.S. President-elect Donald Trump and his nominee for health secretary, Robert F. Kennedy Jr., were photographed enjoying McDonald’s food during a trip to New York. The picture, shared online by Donald Trump’s son, Donald Jr., quickly sparked widespread debate about the juxtaposition of their health-focused campaign promises and their fast-food indulgence.
The photo was taken aboard Donald Trump’s plane as he, Kennedy, Tesla CEO Elon Musk, and Donald Jr. traveled to an Ultimate Fighting Championship event on Saturday. In the image, the group is seen with trays of McDonald’s food, including burgers, fries, and Coca-Cola. Donald Jr. humorously captioned the photo: “Make America Healthy Again starts TOMORROW,” acknowledging the irony of the moment.
Kennedy, a scion of the prominent Democratic political family, joined Donald Trump on the campaign trail before the November 5 presidential election, where they pledged to tackle America’s processed food culture and improve the nation’s health. Announcing Kennedy’s nomination for health secretary last week, Donald Trump criticized the industrial food complex and pharmaceutical companies, stating, “For too long, Americans have been crushed by the industrial food complex and drug companies.”
Kennedy, 70, known for his controversial anti-vaccine stance and criticism of processed food, appeared less enthusiastic in the photo, holding a burger box gingerly while seated in front of fries and a bottle of Coca-Cola. Social media commentators noted the visual disconnect between his campaign rhetoric and his participation in the meal.
A vocal advocate for addressing the U.S. obesity crisis, Kennedy has repeatedly criticized the high levels of sugar, fat, and additives in American diets. In a podcast interview last week, he expressed disdain for Donald Trump’s eating habits, calling the food aboard Donald Trump’s plane “poison.” Kennedy noted, “The stuff that he eats is really bad. You’re either given KFC or Big Macs.”
Donald Trump, on the other hand, has openly embraced his love for fast food and Diet Coke, even stopping at a McDonald’s in Pennsylvania during his campaign, where he told workers, “I love salt!” This public display of fast-food consumption has become a hallmark of his relatable image to many Americans.
Kennedy’s nomination as health secretary will require Senate confirmation, and some senior Republicans have already raised concerns about his suitability for the position. The McDonald’s photo adds a layer of complexity to his public image as he prepares to address the nation’s health challenges.
