White House defends Trump’s health with ‘active’ schedule when asked if he’ll workout with RFK Jr
WASHINGTON, DC: Robert F Kennedy Jr has been calling on Americans to embrace fitness, teaming up with cabinet members in a string of unusual workout challenges.
But when asked whether President Donald Trump would be joining in on the “Make America Healthy Again” push, the White House struck a different note.
White House defends Donald Trump’s active lifestyle
Spokesman Kush Desai highlighted Trump’s demanding itinerary as proof of his stamina, while sidestepping questions about whether the 79-year-old had attempted a pull-up recently.
“Just this past Friday, President Trump departed the White House at 6:30 am, flew to Alaska, met with President Vladimir Putin to secure a historic breakthrough towards peace, touched base with European leaders over the phone on Air Force One, arrived back at the White House at 3 am on Saturday, and then hit the golf course just hours later at noon,” Desai told Radar Online.
He added, “President Trump’s fitness and strength as a leader, negotiator, and champion golfer are unimpeachable.”
Donald Trump insists on ‘good shape’ during health exams
Trump has repeatedly boasted about his physical condition. Earlier this year, after spending nearly five hours at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center for his annual physical, he assured reporters: “I did well.”
“I was there for a long time. I think I did very well,” he said, before describing himself as having “a good heart, a good soul, a very good soul.” Trump also emphasized that he had aced a cognitive exam, declaring, “I got every answer right.”
Back in 2018, the then-president claimed he already had an “exercise routine,” telling reporters: “I get exercise. I mean, I walk, I this, I that.”
RFK Jr and Pete Hegseth push ‘Make America Healthy Again’
While Trump touts his golf and cognitive scores, RFK Jr and Pete Hegseth have been promoting what they call the “Pete and Bobby Challenge.” In a video released online, the pair encouraged cabinet members and Americans to hit the gym and share their workouts publicly.
I teamed up with @SecDef Hegseth for the "Pete & Bobby Challenge" — 50 pull-ups, 100 push-ups. This is the start of a nationwide push to get Americans fit again. We’re calling on our friend @SecDuffy to take the challenge. pic.twitter.com/TTlv9VvkCe
— Secretary Kennedy (@SecKennedy) August 19, 2025
The US Defense Secretary, who boasted of cranking out 100 push-ups and 50 pull-ups in less than six minutes, didn’t hold back his stance on weight. “It's all about Make America Healthy Again, we're gonna be fit, not fat, we want recruits that are ready to go,” the 45-year-old declared in a promotional video.
Kennedy, 71, joined the effort in jeans, stressing: “Pete and I are going to do our part to encourage American youth to do this challenge.” But while the pair tried to spark a viral fitness trend, critics online remained skeptical.
