Here’s what Americans should know.
President-elect Donald Trump’s love for fast food is no secret. From his affinity for McDonald’s to his well-documented Diet Coke habit, Trump’s eating habits have been a source of fascination, often poked fun at by the media. However, one of his most prominent critics on food policy, Health and Human Services Secretary-designate Robert F. Kennedy Jr., has not held back in sharing his views on Trump’s diet—particularly his criticism of the foods served aboard Trump Force One.
Kennedy, a vocal advocate for health reform, has made no secret of his disdain for the processed foods that have become staples of the American diet. On a podcast with Joe Polish, he expressed his concern over the unhealthy nature of Trump’s preferred fast foods. According to Kennedy, the options available on Trump’s plane—Big Macs, KFC, and “inedible” choices beyond that—are the epitome of poor dietary choices. While Kennedy isn’t calling for the outright banning of fast food, he is a strong advocate for reforming how it’s made.
One of his key positions is eliminating seed oils, which are commonly used in fast food. Kennedy has repeatedly criticized McDonald’s for using canola and soybean oil to cook its fries, suggesting that the company should revert to using beef tallow, as it did in the past. Beef tallow, he argues, is a healthier fat that provides essential nutrients. “That was good for you. Your body needs that,” Kennedy insists, even adding that the modern use of seed oils is a major contributor to inflammation and chronic health issues. To push this message further, he’s even launched a “Make Frying Oil Tallow Again” campaign, promoting the return to more traditional, less processed ingredients.
Kennedy is also a critic of artificial food dyes, like those found in products such as Froot Loops and Diet Coke. He has pointed out that in other countries like Canada, these products are made without harmful dyes, using safer alternatives like vegetable oils. It’s not just about food; Kennedy’s health agenda extends to the water supply as well, where he’s called for the removal of fluoride, which he believes has adverse health effects.
Despite his concerns about the modern American diet, Kennedy’s ultimate message is about restoring healthy, whole foods to the mainstream and reducing reliance on government-subsidized, processed ingredients. He supports alternatives like raw milk—though it’s a controversial stance—arguing that it’s a more natural, nutritious option. The debate over Trump’s dietary choices and Kennedy’s proposed reforms touches on larger themes of health, nutrition, and individual freedom—issues that resonate deeply with those who believe in personal responsibility and the importance of traditional American values.
Ultimately, this discussion is not just about fast food—it’s a debate about the future of American health and what role the government should play in shaping our diets. For many Republicans, the push for healthier, less-processed food options aligns with a broader desire to restore personal freedoms, reduce government intervention, and make healthier choices more accessible to all Americans.