RFK Jr Challenges Governor of America's Fattest State to Monthly Public Weigh-Ins

Robert F. Kennedy Jr., the Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary, is rolling up his sleeves in the fight against obesity, and his latest target is West Virginia, the state with the highest obesity rate in the nation. But he's not stopping there—he’s also putting Governor Patrick Morrisey on notice, challenging him to monthly public weigh-ins.

The duo convened for a joint event on Friday to announce a bold ban on certain food dyes. Governor Morrisey also revealed that West Virginia has submitted a waiver aimed at restricting Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) beneficiaries from purchasing soda with their benefits. "We're putting ‘nutrition’ back into the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program," Morrisey proclaimed.

Kennedy, ever the advocate for healthier living, called on other governors to follow suit. "If there’s one thing we can agree on, it should be eliminating taxpayer-funded soda subsidies for lower-income kids," he said in a statement.

However, Kennedy didn’t just stop at policy reform; he took a personal jab at Morrisey’s weight. During the event, Kennedy quipped, "The first time I saw him, I said, ‘You look like you ate Governor Morrisey.’" This wasn’t just a casual remark—it came with a plan. Kennedy announced he would put Morrisey on a rigorous carnivore diet and suggested monthly public weigh-ins to track his progress. He even rallied audience members to show their support by raising their hands.

If Morrisey drops 30 pounds, Kennedy promised to return to the state for a public celebration and weigh-in. West Virginia, which tops the charts as the most obese state with a staggering 41.2% obesity prevalence according to the CDC, could certainly use the spotlight on healthier living.

For context, neighboring states Arkansas and Mississippi have obesity prevalence rates of 40% and 40.1%, respectively. Nationally, the U.S. ranks as the 19th most obese country in the world, with 43.29% of adults classified as obese, according to the World Obesity Foundation. Meanwhile, American Samoa leads the global rankings with over 75% of adults suffering from obesity.

Governor Morrisey’s new policies might just be the first step in turning the tide for West Virginia. And if Kennedy has his way, the state’s leader will become a walking—well, slimmer—example for the rest of America.