Room Erupts When RFK Jr. Makes Joke About Trump

Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has been selected by President Trump to lead the Department of Health and Human Services. On Wednesday, he attended his first confirmation hearing before senators, with another session scheduled for Thursday before the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.

During the hearing, there was a lighthearted exchange when RFK Jr. reassured the public that he had no plans to restrict access to popular food items, referencing Trump’s own preferences.

RFK Jr.: “I don’t want to take food away from anybody. If you like a McDonald’s cheeseburger, Diet Coke, which my boss LOVES, you should be able to get them.”

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In December, Kennedy met with Republican senators after Trump’s nomination to address concerns about his past positions and assure them he would align with the president’s goals for HHS. As one of Trump’s most prominent Cabinet picks, Kennedy was seen as having strong prospects heading into the confirmation process.

“He’s in a good spot. You haven’t really heard much consternation about his nomination at all in recent weeks,” a Senate GOP aide told The Hill.

The aide further mentioned that senators expect Kennedy to prioritize “Make America Health Again” initiatives and distance himself from past liberal abortion policies.

“If that turns out to be true, I think he’ll be on a glide path to being confirmed,” the aide said.

However, opposition has emerged from an organization founded by former Vice President Mike Pence, which has been pressuring Republican senators to reject Kennedy’s nomination. Pence—who previously served as Trump’s vice president—opposes Kennedy due to his past support for abortion rights.

“Whatever the merits of RFK Jr’s Make America Healthy Again initiative—indeed, whatever other qualities a nominee might possess—an HHS Secretary must have a firm commitment to protect unborn children, or else bend under the pressure and pushback surrounding these daily, critical decisions,” wrote Advancing American Freedom President Tim Chapman and Board Chairman Marc Short, Pence’s former chief of staff, in a letter to senators.

“While RFK Jr. has made certain overtures to pro-life leaders that he would be mindful of their concerns at HHS, there is little reason for confidence at this time,” the letter added.

This marks the second formal attempt by Pence and his organization to block Kennedy’s confirmation. Following Trump’s nomination announcement, Pence quickly urged senators to reject Kennedy due to his prior abortion stance, according to The Hill.

Trump has maintained that abortion policy should be decided by individual states, in line with the Supreme Court’s 2022 decision overturning Roe v. Wade. Throughout his campaign, Trump positioned himself as a moderate on the issue.

In contrast, Pence, a staunch religious conservative, has increasingly criticized Trump’s policies, particularly on abortion, previously calling Trump’s stance a “slap in the face” to pro-life advocates.

One of Kennedy’s major objectives has been to reduce children’s consumption of ultra-processed foods.

“We have a generation of kids who are swimming around in a toxic soup right now,” Kennedy told Fox News. “We’re letting these industries corrupt our agencies and mass poison them.”

Dr. Marc Siegel, senior medical analyst for Fox News, discussed Kennedy’s plans to combat ultra-processed foods, which account for 73% of the U.S. food supply. Siegel noted that one of the biggest concerns in these foods is artificial dyes.

“Food coloring is a problem,” Siegel explained. “Red Dye No. 3 has been banned in Europe. They’re banning it in California. It’s been associated with cancer in animals.”

He also highlighted studies linking food dyes to hyperactivity in children.

Siegel pointed out that both Democrats and Republicans have pushed for restrictions on certain food additives, but such efforts have faced resistance from the food industry and its lobbyists.

“There’s a concern here that if this ends up with more regulations, that will drive prices up—and food grocery store prices are already a problem,” Siegel added, while agreeing with Kennedy’s concerns about ultra-processed foods’ impact on children’s health. Harmful additives like MSG and high-fructose corn syrup directly contribute to obesity, he said.

Nitrates are another issue, as studies have linked them to cancer in animals. Siegel also warned about excessive sugar and salt intake, saying, “People just get drawn in to eat and eat and eat, and they gain weight.”