Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has once again sparked attention, this time with his latest social media post showcasing his shirtless workout routine. The 70-year-old nominee for the position of Secretary of Health and Human Services, proposed by President-elect Donald Trump, decided to display his fitness regimen via a viral video uploaded to X, formerly known as Twitter, which has garnered over 3.4 million views since its release.
Filmed at Gold's Gym located in Venice, California, the video features Kennedy engaging in some impressive acrobatics. While grooving to Survivor's iconic "Eye of the Tiger," he performs complex tricks alongside another shirtless workout enthusiast. The capstone of the video is Kennedy's pull-up rollover, showcasing his physical prowess, all with what he humorously captioned as "Practicing moves for my confirmation hearing."
Within the clip, viewers can see Kennedy effortlessly transitioning from pull-ups to flipping over the exercise machine without colliding with his workout partner, who was perched above performing headstands. Someone nearby encouraged him with chants of, "OK, Robert! OK, Robert!"
This isn't Kennedy's first foray onto social media with his workout videos. Just last June, during his independent presidential campaign, he shared another clip of himself hammering out push-ups outdoors with the cheeky remark about gearing up for debates with President Biden. Kennedy's assertion went as far as to claim, "I will restore America as the global example of health & well-being. Not through pills or syringes, but through character and self-discipline. And I will continue to walk the walk and lead by example.”
While the videos may be graced with humor and physical flair, Kennedy’s appointment and the associated health beliefs he advocates have drawn significant debate and criticism. His track record concerning health has raised eyebrows, particularly his vocal skepticism about vaccines and his push for unpasteurized milk, which many health experts deem risky. Trump’s former FDA Commissioner, Scott Gottlieb, has raised alarms about the potential dangers of Kennedy’s beliefs taking precedence as he leads the health agency. Gottlieb warned, "If RFK follows through on his intentions, I believe it will cost lives in this country.”
According to Gottlieb, there’s potential for vaccination rates to plunge dangerously. He mentioned, “You’re going to see measles, mumps, and rubella vaccination rates go down, and like I said, if we lose another five percent [of vaccinations], which could happen within the next year or two, we will see large measles outbreaks.”
The interesting juxtaposition of Kennedy's muscular demonstration of health contrasted with his controversial public health stances creates quite the buzz. These workout videos serve as both entertainment and fodder for scrutiny as he pushes to step forward as one of the more unconventional cabinet nominees. His belief system aligns with his physical presentations, creating a multilayered persona that's as equally captivating as it is contentious.
Kennedy’s flair for the dramatics isn’t new. The past several years have seen him not just embracing the public platform but also performing acrobatics both politically and physically. The fitness videos can also be traced back to his days on the campaign trail, often incorporating elements of shock and awe to engage his audience.
Whether this fitness showcase is viewed as his attempt at displaying virility or as part of his broader campaign strategy remains up for debates. With the upcoming confirmation hearings looming, one thing is certain: Robert F. Kennedy Jr. is sure to keep capturing the spotlight, and not just because of his political ambitions.