Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has ignited a social media storm after posting a digitally altered Thanksgiving photograph featuring former President Donald Trump, Elon Musk, and other prominent figures, in a move widely perceived as trolling.
The Air Force One Feast That Wasn't
The 71-year-old politician took to his X account this afternoon to extend Thanksgiving wishes to his one million followers. The post included an image depicting him, Donald Trump, Donald Trump Jr., Elon Musk, and House Speaker Mike Johnson sharing a festive meal aboard Air Force One. The spread featured a traditional feast of turkey, Brussels sprouts, corn, and mashed potatoes.
However, astute followers quickly identified the image as a fabrication. The original photograph was first posted on Donald Trump Jr.'s account in November 2024. It showed a very different scene: a horrified-looking RFK Jr. eating McDonald's with a side of Coke, while seated in the exact same location and wearing the same clothes as in the edited version.
Spot the Difference: From Fast Food to Festive Fare
The digital manipulation was meticulous but not flawless. All the men wore identical clothing and were positioned precisely as in the original picture. The key alterations involved the food. In the new version, RFK Jr. is seen digging into a bowl of stuffing, and Donald Trump Jr. is holding up a slice of pie instead of a large portion of McDonald's fries.
Despite sharing this elaborate, fake meal, the health-conscious Republican did not reveal his actual Thanksgiving plans to his followers. This marks a departure from last year, when his holiday preparations drew significant attention.
A History of Controversial Turkey Preparations
A year ago, the health secretary was filmed deep-frying a turkey while barefoot. In a video that circulated online, the 71-year-old Kennedy explained he was using beef tallow, showing a box of the white rendered fat to the camera.
As he precariously lowered the bird into the bubbling pot, he remarked, 'This is the dangerous part.' The video then cut to his wife, actress Cheryl Hines, who declined his offer to eat some of the turkey, stating, 'No, I don't eat turkey.' Forty minutes later, the clip showed him pulling the finished bird from the hot oil, still without any shoes on, and declaring, 'That's going to be delicious.'
It is important to note that safety experts do not recommend deep-frying turkeys on Thanksgiving due to the significant fire risk. This recent photo controversy also echoes RFK Jr.'s past criticisms of the American diet, having previously labelled McDonald's food as 'poison' after being forced to eat it.
