POLITICS
Robert F. Kennedy Jr.
RFK Jr. says ‘boxes and boxes’ of McDonald’s travel with Trump
Fernando Cervantes Jr.USA TODAY
Aug. 14, 2026, 3:16 p.m. ET
Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., known for his diet centered on fermented foods and grass-fed meat, said in a podcast appearance that he has seen “boxes and boxes” of McDonald’s while travelling with President Donald Trump
Kennedy’s comments came during an appearance on the “Net Positive” podcast, which was released on Wednesday, Aug. 12
“When you get on his airplane, it’s just boxes and boxes of McDonald’s,” Kennedy said
John Crist, one of the podcast hosts, asked the HHS secretary if he had ever tried to correct the president’s diet
“I’m not like a scold,” Kennedy said. “He eats really good food most of the time, but when he’s traveling, he likes to eat food from national chains because he’s scared of getting food poisoning.”
Kennedy also said Trump’s diet at his Mar-a-Lago home and the White House was closer to his standards
“That’s the best food; it’s all fresh produce, and a lot of it is locallyetary said
Kennedy has previously commented on Trump’s diet, saying earlier this year in another podcast appearance that he “doesn’t know how he’s alive” when discussing the president’s penchant for soda and fast food
A well-known diet
Kennedy has gained public attention in his time as HHS secretary for his diet centered on fermented foods and grass-fed meat. Kennedy has credited that diet for helping him lose 20 pounds in 30 days
Kennedy has also led the “Make America Healthy Again” movement, which has become a central element of the Trump administration’s approach to health policy
Trump signed an executive order soon after his 2025 inauguration creating the Make America Healthy Again Commission, which states various objectives to improve health outcomes for Americans, including lowering chronic disease rates in adults and children
The movement is a broad one, concerned in part with foods that use artificial dyes or are ultra-processed foods. Doctors and other experts say that some of MAHA’s recommendations, like prioritizing fresh fruits and vegetables in your diet, are good guidance for the country’s health.
But MAHA also branches into controversial initiatives that have been criticized by many health experts and associations, such as making major changes to vaccine recommendations and claims about the causes of autism
Contributing: Kathryn Palmer, USA TODAY
Fernando Cervantes Jr. is a trending news reporter for USA TODAY. Reach him at fernando.cervantes@usatodayco.com and follow him on X @fern_cerv_
