Donald Trump defends beloved junk food in bizarre rant
Ella Scott
Featured Image Credit: Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images
President Donald Trump has ranted that junk food may be some of the ‘best foods’ to eat for longevity, as he admits he ‘feels great’ on his current diet.
On Monday (11 May), the Republican claimed during an Oval Office event that he felt exactly ‘the same’ at 79 as he did at 29 despite not indulging in extra healthy or overly nutrient-dense products.
"I feel literally the same. Not because I eat the best foods. Maybe they are the best foods. Who knows what the best foods are? Maybe junk food is good and the other food is no good,” he alleged.
Trump went on to suggest that, despite what experts have suggested for decades, what you put into your body may not play as big a role in overall health.
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He claimed at the White House that he’s been out to restaurants with people who order celery, while he is partial to a slab of steak and ‘everything else’.
“I’ll say, ‘how you doing?’, ‘Well, it’s over for me’. I know many, many people that all they do is watch their weight. They're this, that, and they kick the bucket, and here we are. I feel great.”
Trump’s baseless junk food comments have divided fans and critics alike, with many rushing to his defence.
“A lot of us grew up with all these foods they now say are bad for us. I think they made us stronger. A balance is good but I personally don't eat food I don't like,” typed one X user.
A second alleged: “He’s 80+ and has more energy than most 30-year-olds. Maybe the secret really is McDonald’s and zero stress from haters.”
Others seemingly aren’t as impressed. “Well that settles it. An anecdotal sample size of one individual proves the point,” one critic claimed.
Another wrote: “I’ll have the celery please, waiter. And keep em coming.”
“So according to Trump, fries and burgers are basically a longevity hack now,” a third added.
US dietary guidelines, presented by Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. earlier this year, recommend Americans cut their consumption of highly processed foods.
Eating protein, full-fat dairy, fibre-rich whole grains, and fruit and vegetables should be prioritised over sugary drinks, refined carbohydrates, and foods that are salty or sweet.
Diets high in ultra-processed foods have previously been linked to an increased risk of health conditions such as obesity, type 2 diabetes and heart disease, as per the British Heart Foundation.
Trump’s adoration for junk food is not a new revelation, with the father-of-five recently staging a McDonald’s burger delivery at the White House in collaboration with DoorDash.
The politician has also previously shared a McDonald’s meal on board Air Force One with RFK Jr., Elon Musk, and his son, Donald Trump Jr., and ordered the brand in to treat the Men’s Olympic ice hockey team.
During the 2024 Presidential campaign trial, Trump would allegedly have ‘hot fries waiting for him’ alongside a Filet-O-Fish, a Quarter Pounder and a Big Mac.
Allegedly, he would often ‘combine’ two of the burgers before chowing down, as per Republican National Committee Chairman Joe Gruters.
In the 2017 book, Let Trump Be Trump, two former aides, David Bossie and Corey Lewandowski, wrote that the POTUS was also keen on Kentucky Fried Chicken and pizza washed down with Diet Coke.
The latter is also one of First Lady Melania Trump’s favourite beverages, especially when it's served in an iconic glass bottle.
Neither Trump nor his wife, 56, enjoys eating fresh fish, with the pair turning it down during a 2019 state visit to Japan.
Instead, a curated menu of Western and Japanese dishes was prepared, with Melania claiming a ‘delicious blend of flavours and textures’ was presented.