NEED TO KNOW
- Robert F. Kennedy Jr. addressed his unorthodox gym attire — jeans — in an interview with Fox News
- “I would go hiking in the morning and then I’d go straight to the gym,” the controversial health secretary said, noting it’s become a habit
- Questions about Kennedy’s workout clothes arose after he wore jeans to his and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth’s workout challenge, which has since gone viral
Robert F. Kennedy Jr. is addressing his impractical workout attire.
The controversial health and human services secretary, 71, went viral for wearing jeans to the gym after he and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, 45, filmed what they called the “Pete and Bobby Challenge” — 100 push-ups and 50 pull-ups in 10 minutes.
After sparking confusion online, Kennedy addressed his fashion choices in an interview with Fox News.
“Well, I just started doing that a long time ago because I would go hiking in the morning and then I’d go straight to the gym,” he said. “And I found it was convenient, and now I’m used to it, so I just do it.”
The challenge, seemingly part of the Trump administration’s “Make America Healthy Again” campaign, saw the health secretary sporting his usual jeans, while the defense secretary (and every other challenge participant) wore standard workout shorts.
Kennedy’s social media history proves that his workout jeans are not a new habit. In June 2023 — when he was still running for president as a Democrat — the politician shared a clip of himself donning jeans and no shirt as he worked to complete a set of pushups.
“Getting in shape for my debates with President Biden!” he wrote in the caption, adding, “And yes, I can do more than 10 push-ups. That was my last set.”
Kennedy prepared similarly for his confirmation hearings to become the HHS secretary. On Dec. 1, 2024, he shared a clip from the gym — once again wearing jeans and no shirt — where he said he was “practicing moves for my confirmation hearing.”
Despite allegations from his cousin Caroline Kennedy that he was unfit to serve in Trump’s Cabinet, RFK Jr. was narrowly confirmed by the Senate on Feb. 13.
The health secretary’s viral workout with Hegseth comes during his controversial first months in the role, sparked in part by his COVID-19 vaccine restrictions and offensive comments about autism.
Hegseth, a former Fox News host, has also courted criticism since he was tapped to join Trump’s administration, overcoming a sexual assault allegation during his confirmation hearings and quickly using his new title to oust transgender people from the military.
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