John Kennedy says he named elliptical ‘Margaret’ after Thatcher because both ‘kick butt’ in viral clip

MADISONVILLE, LOUISIANA: Sen John Kennedy went viral after sharing a humorous video showcasing his outdoor workout setup in Louisiana heat, where he introduced his elliptical trainer named “Margaret” after former UK Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher, saying both “kick butt and take names.”

Speaking from his carport in a red bandana, the Louisiana Republican gave viewers a lighthearted look at his fitness routine and life outside Washington.

Kennedy introduces his elliptical named ‘Margaret’ in viral clip

"Hey Guys, John Kennedy here. I've got somebody I would like you to meet,” Kennedy said at the start of the video.

Walking viewers over to his exercise equipment, he introduced the machine with a personal touch.

“This is Margaret. Margaret is my elliptical trainer. I named Margaret after Margaret Thatcher because both kick butt and take names.”

Kennedy explained that the machine stays outside for practical reasons, adding humor to the setup.

“Number one, Margaret is too heavy to get in the house. Number two, Becky won't let me bring Margaret in the house. And number three, I'd like to break a good sweat.”

Kennedy shows outdoor workout routine in Louisiana heat

Kennedy said he enjoys exercising outdoors during Louisiana summers, even as the heat and humidity make the routine more intense.

“As you can see, Margaret, my elliptical trainer, is out here under my carport in Louisiana,” he said. “After Margaret kicks my butt, I look for air conditioning.”

He added that the video was meant to show how he spends time when he is not working in the US Senate.

“You may not be impressed by Margaret, but I love Margaret. I wanted you to meet Margaret. Thanks for listening. My work here is done, and I can see myself out,” he said.

Kennedy’s viral video crosses 422K views on X

The clip quickly gained traction online, drawing hundreds of thousands of views and a mix of reactions from users across social media.

Some users joked about his bandana, while others praised his relatable and conversational style. One user wrote, “You are rocking the dadgum crap outta that bandana.”

Another commented that Kennedy had a “front porch kind of charm” that made his video feel like a casual conversation.

Kennedy, known for his informal and witty social media presence, continues to share glimpses of his life outside the Senate, often leaning into humor to connect with audiences online.