Additional Coverage:
- RFK Jr. humiliatingly tells governor to go on ‘diet’ and calls for public monthly weigh in (irishstar.com)
Charleston, WV – Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. visited West Virginia on Friday for a Make America Healthy Again event, using the opportunity to advocate for a ban on certain food dyes and to offer some unsolicited fitness advice to Governor Jim Justice.
Kennedy, a vocal proponent of eliminating dyes like Red Dye 3 and Yellow 5 from food products, met with Governor Justice to discuss the issue. However, the event took an unexpected turn when Kennedy publicly commented on the Governor’s weight, suggesting he had gained weight since their last meeting.
“The first time I saw him, I said, ‘You look like you ate Governor Morrisey,’” Kennedy quipped, later adding that the Governor had invited him to be his personal trainer. Kennedy, known for sharing his intense workouts on social media, jokingly proposed a “rigorous regimen” and a carnivore diet for the Governor.
He then playfully challenged the Governor to a monthly public weigh-in, aiming for a 30-pound weight loss, culminating in a celebratory final weigh-in. The audience responded with laughter and cheers.
“You’re welcome, Denise,” Kennedy concluded, referring to the Governor’s wife.
While the comments sparked some negative reactions online, Governor Justice appeared to take the remarks in stride, joking along with Kennedy about the unexpected grilling. He acknowledged that the exchange was “a little more than I bargained for,” while reiterating his request for Kennedy’s fitness guidance.
West Virginia currently holds the unfortunate distinction of having the highest obesity rate in the nation, with 41.2% of the adult population classified as obese, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Mississippi and Arkansas follow closely behind with rates of 40.1% and 40% respectively. Data released in 2024 indicates that one in three adults are obese in 23 states across the country.