Trump abruptly interrupts RFK Jr to roast his 'thinnest' tie: 'It's almost like a rope'

Apart from the banter, President Trump also spoke about his decision to bar CNN, MS NOW, and Politico, from the White House
President Donald Trump shares a laugh with (L-R) Administrator for the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services Dr Mehmet Oz, Secretary of Health and Human Services Robert F Kennedy Jr and Mississippi Gov Tate Reeves (Getty Images)
President Donald Trump shares a laugh with (L-R) Administrator for the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services Dr Mehmet Oz, Secretary of Health and Human Services Robert F Kennedy Jr and Mississippi Gov Tate Reeves (Getty Images)

WASHINGTON, DC: Robert F Kennedy Jr was in the middle of thanking President Donald Trump on Friday, September 18, when the president suddenly decided there was something else worth discussing: Kennedy’s tie.

The Health and Human Services secretary had just begun talking about the administration’s latest healthcare announcement when Trump cut in, drawing laughter from Kennedy and others in the Oval Office.

Trump then turned the moment into an impromptu fashion critique.



Trump praises Kennedy's 'rope tie'

As Robert F Kennedy Jr began speaking in the Oval Office, Trump could not resist asking about his tie.

“By the way, I love his tie,” Trump said, turning his attention to Kennedy’s unusually thin navy-blue necktie.

Trump then wondered where Kennedy had found it. “I want to get a nice thin. Where do you get a tie like that?”

He took another look before delivering the remark that sent the room into laughter.

WASHINGTON, DC - SEPTEMBER 18: U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services Robert F. Kennedy Jr. listens as U.S. President Donald Trump speaks to the media about healthcare in the Oval Office at the White House on September 18, 2026 in Washington, DC. Trump announced that his administration's Medicaid ​
Secretary of Health and Human Services Robert F Kennedy Jr listens as President Donald Trump speaks to the media about healthcare in the Oval Office at the White House on September 18, 2026, in Washington, DC (Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)

“That’s the thinnest tie I’ve ever seen. It’s almost like a rope!” he said.

People standing around Kennedy immediately laughed, while Kennedy himself appeared to take the interruption in stride. Trump was not finished.

“He wants to show off his chest, see, I don’t…” he said before turning back to Kennedy and telling him, “Go ahead, Bobby.”

Kennedy had been trying to thank Trump for helping push the administration’s Most Favored Nation healthcare deals across the finish line. 



Trump bans 'fake news' from White House

Apart from the banter, President Trump also spoke about his decision to bar CNN, MS NOW, and Politico, from the White House.

Trump said there was “no reason” beyond what he described as the cumulative effect of their coverage over several years.

He accused the outlets of deliberately producing negative coverage aimed at damaging Republicans and the Republican administration.

“They purposely write negative news,” Trump said, adding that he believed the outlets did so “because they want to try and diminish the Republicans and a Republican administration.”



“And honestly, we’ve done a fantastic job. Look at the numbers,” he said.

He went on to claim that the US was bringing in more money than ever, had its highest employment in history, and had reached its lowest poverty rate in the country’s history.

Trump had announced the White House restrictions on September 18, accusing CNN, MS NOW and Politico of reporting what he called “fake news.”

He also warned that other outlets could face similar action.

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