On Monday, August 4, Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. announced that President Donald Trump frequently calls him to ask about the administration’s progress in boosting Americans’ health. Kennedy revealed these regular conversations during a press conference where he introduced new limits on what can be purchased with food stamps.
Standing alongside state governors and Cabinet members at the event, Kennedy said Trump checks in with him three or four times a week to monitor the health agenda’s progress. The Health Secretary described the president’s recurring question during these calls: “Why isn’t the public healthier yet?”
Kennedy noted that Trump puts continuous pressure on him regarding the progress of health reforms. He mentioned that the president phoned him just the night before the press conference, continuing the pattern of frequent updates on health policy.
The press event highlighted a new measure intended to ban soda and candy purchases with food stamps. This move is part of Trump’s broader “Make America Healthy Again” campaign, which extends the message of his original 2016 “Make America Great Again” slogan. Kennedy stressed that these health-driven initiatives enjoy the president’s full backing.
Kennedy, who is known for his contentious views on vaccines and other health matters, reassured reporters that Trump remains determined to fulfill his promise of improving Americans’ health. Kennedy pointed to the president’s frequent calls as proof of his commitment to making these health policies succeed.
The “Make America Healthy Again” effort has included several high-profile pushes to change American eating habits. Among these is an attempt to persuade Coca-Cola to offer sodas sweetened with cane sugar in the U.S. instead of those made with high fructose corn syrup (HFCS).
Coca-Cola recently announced in its quarterly report that a cane sugar–sweetened cola will launch in the U.S. this fall. The new product will be offered alongside—rather than replacing—the traditional HFCS formula.
Experts in nutrition note that cane sugar (sucrose) and HFCS share nearly the same chemical makeup and health effects when consumed in similar amounts.
As reported by PBS NewsHour, although HFCS contains slightly more fructose than sucrose, evidence does not support claims that it is more harmful. Both are considered “added sugars” and are linked to conditions like obesity, diabetes, and heart disease when eaten in excess.
A Parents.com report cites dietitians who say: “Neither sweetener has health advantages over the other… both contribute equally to potential health problems such as type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, and heart disease…”
Kennedy’s time leading HHS has also brought significant changes to federal public health organizations, including funding cuts and layoffs across several health agencies. Recently, Kennedy replaced all 17 members of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices, appointing individuals who share his critical stance on vaccines.
These staffing changes mark a major shift in federal health guidance. The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices has traditionally set vaccine schedules and policies nationwide. By installing committee members who align with his views, Kennedy has taken federal health policy in a new, unconventional direction.
The new food stamp rules introduced Monday reflect the administration’s broader health strategy. Kennedy and other officials claim that stopping food stamp recipients from buying sugary drinks and candy will improve low-income Americans’ nutrition. This rule is one of the more concrete outcomes of the “Make America Healthy Again” program.
Kennedy’s decision to publicly share the frequency of Trump’s phone calls offers a glimpse into the President’s hands-on management style and focus during his second term. This pattern of direct communication highlights Trump’s ongoing attention to major policy promises, especially regarding health.
By speaking openly about his ongoing conversations with Trump, Kennedy also underscores the administration’s approach of showcasing the president’s personal involvement in policy making. Kennedy’s comments serve to highlight the priority that health issues hold within the administration’s larger agenda.
