Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s latest address to the press was briefly interrupted by a duck ringtone on his phone. During the conference, he was discussing President Donald Trump’s plans to redesign the food pyramid. As Kennedy emphasized the consumption of macronutrients, the ringtone grew louder, sparking laughter throughout the room due to its duck ringtone. To prevent further disruption, Dr. Oz stepped in, took the phone, and briefly addressed the caller.
RFK Jr.’s ringtone draws laughs during press conference
The recent press conference was attended by Kennedy Jr., White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt, national nutrition adviser Ben Carson, Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services Administrator Mehmet Oz, FDA Commissioner Marty Makary, and Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins.
Kennedy Jr. stepped in to disclose Trump’s plans for examining and revamping the food pyramid. Discussing macronutrients, he said, “Protein and healthy fats are essential. We are ending the war on saturated fats. Diets rich in vegetables and fruits reduce disease risk more effectively than any drugs.”
Setting a clear message, he added, “My message is clear: eat real food. Nothing matters more for healthcare outcomes, economic productivity, military readiness, and fiscal stability.” Amid his media address, his phone, with a duck ringtone, rang. The noise got louder, sparking a laugh around the room. Kennedy Jr. immediately took out the phone and tried to silence the call. Connecting the awkward situation of the duck’s ringtone to their revamped dietary plans, Rollins said, “Duck is high in protein, that’s also interesting. Duck is a good thing to eat, everybody.” To help Kennedy Jr. out, Dr. Oz took away his phone, picked up the call, and told the caller that they would call back later.
At the press briefing, Kennedy Jr. offered a clearer explanation of the inverted food pyramid, detailing how different groups are rearranged from the top to the bottom of the chart. He said, “The new guidelines recognize that whole, nutrient-dense food is the most effective path to better health and lower healthcare costs.”
