Vice President JD Vance returned to the White House podium on Thursday for his first press briefing since July 23, addressing a range of national issues including the Iran war, oil and gas prices, and inflation.
During the briefing, Vance also fielded a question from Fox News senior White House correspondent Peter Doocy regarding his recent weight loss. Vance attributed the change to advice from Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., stating that the encouragement began around Lent in February.
"Bobby Kennedy says, 'No, no, no, no, I've got something that's way better than that and way more intense,'" Vance recounted, describing a conversation where he considered giving up sugar. "And basically... I eat a lot of high protein stuff and I eat a lot of sauerkraut. And let's just say that if that was Fat Tuesday, Fat Wednesday never came."
Vance jokingly advised attendees to "call Bobby Kennedy" for weight loss but to "do not call Bobby Kennedy" if they wished to enjoy their food. He described the diet as high-protein and rich in sauerkraut.
Robert F. Kennedy Jr. previously discussed his own dietary approach in a January interview with USA TODAY's "The Excerpt" podcast, where he stated he was on a "carnivore diet." This diet typically involves consuming only animal products such as meat, dairy, and eggs. Vance also mentioned his experience with a similar approach, claiming he lost 40% of his visceral fat within a month and experienced improved mental clarity. He noted that he lost 20 pounds in 20 days after switching to the diet, acknowledging that some benefits might be attributed to the placebo effect.
Vance's briefing was his third overall as vice president and the first since the departure of former press secretary Karoline Leavitt last month. He also commented on Republican messaging ahead of the upcoming midterm elections during the press conference.