By John Q. Hosedrinker 
As part of his “Make America Healthy Again” initiative, US health secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. recently released a 90-second exercise video. The clip, posted to social media, features him participating in an ice bath and swimming, notably while still wearing jeans. Kennedy Jr.’s stated goal with this demonstration, set to Kid Rock’s energetic song “Bawitdaba,” is to encourage Americans to “get active” and “eat real food.”
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72-year-old Robert F. Kennedy Jr. recently dropped a rather… unique exercise video, and let’s just say it’s been generating a lot of buzz, and not necessarily the kind he might have hoped for. The footage shows the presidential candidate engaging in a workout session alongside none other than musician Kid Rock, and the combination has struck many as, well, profoundly bizarre. The video itself is a visual spectacle, featuring the two men in what appears to be a sauna, adorned in denim, which is quite the fashion choice for a sweat session. Adding to the surreal atmosphere, Kid Rock is seen flicking a middle finger to the camera while pedaling, an action that’s been interpreted as a defiant, albeit unconventional, gesture.
The overall vibe of the video has been widely described as “weird,” and it’s easy to see why. The soundtrack, the choice of attire, and the general demeanor of the participants all contribute to a sense of something fundamentally askew. It’s this very strangeness that has fueled much of the commentary, with some likening it to a low-budget, unsexy gay pornographic film, or even a scene from the movie *HIM*. The juxtaposition of a prominent political figure and a musician known for his rowdy persona, engaged in such an unconventional display, has left many viewers scratching their heads and wondering about the intended message, if there even was one.
The choice of jeans for a workout, particularly in a sauna, has been a particular sticking point, with one observation humorously noting that it’s a sartorial decision no one in their right mind would make for gym attire. This detail, coupled with the general lack of proper form in some of the exercises, like the push-ups, has led to a widespread sentiment of bewilderment. It’s a visual that’s hard to process, leading to comparisons to figures from history, like Himmler attempting to be “Mr. Fit,” which, while a harsh comparison, speaks to the perceived lack of genuine athleticism on display.
There’s a palpable sense that this video is serving as an unintentional advertisement for a certain political movement, specifically MAGA, given Kennedy’s association with it. The shirtless, screaming elderly man (referring to Kennedy) asking “where’s the kid?” is seen as a “brilliantly tone-deaf” moment, further emphasizing the disconnect between the participants’ actions and a broader public perception. The entire presentation feels like an attempt to project a certain image, but the execution has backfired, leading to reactions of discomfort and even disgust from many who have viewed it.
The video has also opened up a discussion about the participants themselves. For Kid Rock, the notion of him being in one’s social circle is enough for some to question their own judgment, highlighting his controversial persona. The speculation about steroid use is rife, given the physique of both men, though some have countered that this is simply testosterone replacement and not necessarily indicative of extreme bodybuilding. The mention of past alleged drug use, like snorting cocaine off toilet seats or even more outlandish stories involving chainsaws and whale heads, only adds to the perception of eccentricity surrounding Kid Rock.
The dynamic between Kennedy and Kid Rock has been particularly scrutinized, with some initially not even recognizing Kid Rock and mistaking him for a “random dude,” a “gay buddy,” or even a “lover.” The idea that they are a “couple” has been humorously, or perhaps cynically, suggested. The “homoerotic” undertones, as perceived by some, are amplified by the intimate setting and the shared activities, leading to comparisons to “80s gay porn” and even more explicit, albeit hypothetical, scenarios like sniffing coke from each other’s belly buttons.
The “never nude” observation about RFK Jr., combined with the sauna setting, has led to some rather unflattering and speculative remarks. The visual of the two men working out in denim, coupled with the middle finger and the general “weirdness,” has painted a picture that’s difficult to ignore, or perhaps, to forget. It’s a scene that future generations might struggle to comprehend, a testament to its sheer peculiarity and its departure from any conventional understanding of political campaigning or even personal fitness routines.
The underlying sentiment expressed by many is that this video is a desperate attempt to stay relevant or to change the subject from more pressing issues. The call to “prosecute the pedos” and to name them on the congressional floor is a stark contrast to the escapism presented in the workout video. The assertion that “this whole administration is fucked up” and the labeling of the duo as a “pedo duo” underscores a deep dissatisfaction and a belief that such displays are a distraction from what truly matters.
The desire to be appealing to younger audiences, whether male or female, is evident, but the method chosen has been widely criticized as counterproductive. The “lemon party videos” comparison is a particularly harsh jab, suggesting that the video is so unappealing and bizarre that it borders on the offensive. The idea of “manly guys doing manly man things” is further satirized with the image of them “going to bathe in sewage together and share man things,” a hyperbolic representation of the perceived grossness of the situation.
Ultimately, the 72-year-old Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s exercise video with Kid Rock has become a cultural talking point, not for its fitness advice or political messaging, but for its sheer, unadulterated weirdness. It’s a testament to the fact that sometimes, the most talked-about moments are the ones that defy all expectations and leave audiences utterly speechless, wondering what on earth they just witnessed. The lingering impression is one of a deeply strange encounter, leaving many to ponder the motivations behind it and the broader implications for the figures involved and the political landscape.