On Monday, August 4, Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. announced that President Donald Trump frequently reaches out to him to discuss the administration’s progress in boosting Americans’ health. Kennedy revealed these ongoing conversations during a press briefing where he promoted new limits on food stamp spending.
Standing with state governors and Cabinet members, Kennedy shared that Trump contacts him three or four times weekly to get updates on health initiatives. According to the Secretary, the president’s consistent question is, “Why aren’t people healthier yet?”
Kennedy stated that Trump consistently urges him to accelerate the rollout of health policies. He mentioned that the president called the evening before the press conference, continuing his habit of personally checking in on the status of health reforms.
The briefing centered on a new measure restricting the use of food stamps to buy soda and candy. This policy is part of Trump’s wider “Make America Healthy Again” platform, an extension of his 2016 “Make America Great Again” campaign. Kennedy stressed that these nutrition-focused policies fully reflect the president’s commitment.
Known for his unorthodox takes on vaccines and public health, Kennedy assured reporters that Trump is determined to deliver on his health-related campaign pledges. He presented the president’s constant calls as proof of personal investment in the success of these measures.
The “Make America Healthy Again” campaign features several high-visibility efforts to shift American eating habits. Among them is an initiative to persuade Coca-Cola to offer sodas sweetened with cane sugar instead of high fructose corn syrup (HFCS) in the U.S.
Coca-Cola confirmed in a recent earnings report that it will launch a cane sugar–sweetened cola in the U.S. this fall. This new soda will be sold alongside—rather than in place of—the standard HFCS-sweetened version.
Nutrition experts note that cane sugar (sucrose) and HFCS are nearly identical in makeup and health impact when consumed in similar quantities.
A PBS NewsHour report highlights that although HFCS contains a bit more fructose than cane sugar, there is no solid evidence that HFCS is more harmful. Both are labeled as “added sugars” and are associated with conditions like obesity, diabetes, and heart disease when overused.
A Parents.com article cites dietitians saying, “Neither sweetener is healthier than the other… each equally increases the risk of type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, and heart disease…”
Kennedy has also overseen substantial changes at federal health agencies during his tenure, including funding cuts and staff reductions. Most notably, he recently dismissed all 17 members of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices, replacing them with people who share his skepticism about vaccines.
These staffing decisions amount to a significant shift in federal health policy leadership. The committee has traditionally set guidelines for vaccine schedules and related policies nationwide. Kennedy’s action to appoint only those with similar views marks a sharp break from longstanding public health practices.
The new limits on food stamp use discussed at Monday’s briefing fit into the administration’s larger health strategy. Kennedy and others believe that barring the purchase of sugary items with federal assistance will support better nutrition for low-income Americans. This move represents a tangible part of the “Make America Healthy Again” agenda.
Kennedy’s comments about Trump’s frequent phone calls shed light on the president’s hands-on approach and focus in his second term. This regular communication pattern suggests Trump closely monitors major policy initiatives, especially those linked to central campaign promises like national health improvements.
By openly discussing his regular talks with Trump, Kennedy also demonstrates the administration’s tactic of highlighting the president’s direct role in shaping policy. By calling attention to Trump’s personal involvement in health matters, Kennedy underlines the significance of these initiatives within the larger administration agenda.