Former President Donald Trump’s repeated use of terms like “fat shots” and “fat drugs” to describe GLP-1 medications is drawing criticism from medical professionals and patients who say the language is stigmatizing and dismisses the drugs' broad health benefits.
GLP-1 medications, originally developed to treat Type 2 diabetes, are increasingly prescribed for weight loss, sleep apnea, and to reduce the risk of heart disease. Approximately 11% of American adults now report taking these drugs, a significant increase from just 3% in 2024, according to a Gallup poll.
Despite Trump’s efforts to make GLP-1 medications more affordable, his choice of words has become a point of concern. Critics argue that framing these drugs solely around weight loss not only perpetuates fatphobia but also oversimplifies their therapeutic applications, potentially diminishing their perception as treatments for serious health conditions.
"To frame this class of drugs as ‘fat shots’ is not only fatphobic, but also flattens all of the benefits and uses of these medications," said Kylie Pomaikaiokalani, who noted that GLP-1s have approvals for conditions beyond obesity, including Type 2 diabetes and sleep apnea, and offer benefits like reduced heart disease risk. "I think in turn will make them seem more like vanity drugs instead of how they actually address real health conditions."
Dr. Eric Burnett, an internal medicine doctor and health communicator, expressed less concern about Trump's specific phrasing, acknowledging his tendency for stigmatizing language. However, Burnett emphasized the need for government action to ensure these medications are covered by Medicaid, stating, "I would rather Trump focus less on calling it the ‘fat shot’ and [instead put] more legislation forward between him and Congress to actually get Medicaid to cover these these life-saving medications for patients who are having issues with obesity, but can’t get it covered."
Other medical professionals echoed these sentiments. Dr. Elizabeth Kazarian, a family and obesity medicine physician, noted that Trump's language propagates stigma and shame towards a population already facing such treatment. She also pointed out that despite his insensitive remarks, Trump has supported initiatives like TrumpRX, a coupon website for GLP-1s, aimed at lowering drug prices.
Dr. Oni Blackstock, founder and executive director of Health Justice, a racial and health equity consulting company, stated that Trump's casual use of such terms reflects normalized societal marginalization of individuals with obesity. "This framing reinforces the idea of obesity as some sort of moral failing, not as the result of a confluence of societal and contextual factors," Blackstock explained, citing issues like food deserts, lack of safe exercise spaces, and inadequate social safety nets as contributors to the obesity epidemic.
Patients using GLP-1s also shared their experiences. Pogue Mahone reported using the medication for nearly two years to control A1C levels, achieving a significant drop without substantial weight loss, underscoring that the drugs are not solely for fat reduction. Krysta Berning Nunn finds GLP-1s effective for managing insulin-resistant PCOS, PMOS, and fatty liver disease, noting unexpected anti-inflammatory benefits for endometriosis pain relief.
Heather McClary Philpot described the medication as life-changing, having lost over 130 pounds in 22 months after trying numerous other methods. She believes the obesity epidemic is linked to food industry regulations and that GLP-1s are a tool to be used in conjunction with a healthy lifestyle, not a quick fix.
Jennifer J. Beard, also a GLP-1 user, stated she doesn't care what the medications are called, emphasizing that they are not an easy solution. "Those who say all you need is diet and exercise have never had diet and exercise not work for them," she said. "Losing weight isn’t a one-size-fits-all. Why should we stay overweight when we have this wonderful tool to use to our benefit?"
Amanda Brown-Mini added that Trump appears uninformed on the issue, as GLP-1s serve a multitude of conditions beyond just weight loss.