RFK Jr. bashes Ozempic buzz and Novo Nordisk profits

Former independent presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. criticized what he characterized as “cheerleading for Ozempic ” and other breakthrough weight loss and diabetes medication, arguing that the buzz masks the root causes of the obesity epidemic.

Kennedy’s post on X Thursday is framed as a comment on an opinion piece about the difficulties of defining the disease of obesity published last week in the New York Times. His main critique of the piece, however, is that the author does not note the highly processed foundation of diets in the United States or the mental health conditions associated with overeating that lead to obesity.

“Instead of fixing our food system and addressing the obesity crisis at its root, the author focuses on a drug that may palliate the symptom – and gladden the wallets of distant Big Pharma execs,” said Kennedy.

Kennedy argued that Novo Nordisk, the Danish maker of Ozempic for Type 2 diabetes and Wegovy for obesity management, is taking advantage of the public health crisis in the U.S. to churn record-breaking profits.

Novo Nordisk’s current net worth of $570 billion is more than Denmark's GDP by over $100 billion, and analysts predict that the company will make a trillion dollars by 2030.

“With a number like that, of course this drug is the answer! It has to be the answer,” Kennedy continued. “With a number like that, of course we don't talk about root causes; and about the need for better food and saner farming.”

A spokesperson for Novo Nordisk told the Washington Examiner that semaglutide, the key ingredient for both Ozempic and Wegovy, is meant to supplement dietary changes and exercise in order to decrease the risk of cardiovascular disease for patients with Type 2 diabetes or obesity.

But the spokesperson also said that obesity is a disease that requires medical intervention, especially for people who are unable to keep weight off even with lifestyle changes.

"Decades ago, Novo Nordisk took a stand that obesity is a disease, and the shame in our society needs to stop. It’s not just about effective medicines but other real barriers like stigma and bias. Because obesity is not a personal failing; it’s a matter of health – and people deserve respect, support, and care," the Novo Nordisk spokesperson said.

Kennedy, who has transitioned his public career from environmental advocacy toward public health, has long been an outspoken critic of the pharmaceutical industry. His most prominent health crusade has been supporting the theory that the increasing rate of childhood vaccines may contribute to autism spectrum disorders.

In recent months, Kennedy has honed his focus on food as the source of a host of chronic diseases, including obesity and other cardiometabolic disorders.

“When I’m working in the next administration, I will address our sick food system—and the corrupt government agencies—to help make our country healthy again,” said Kennedy. “In the meantime perhaps we should consider replanting the kitchen garden before sending more money to Denmark.”

Since officially suspending his presidential campaign, Kennedy has been a key supporter of former President Donald Trump and has taken a leading role in shaping the health policy of the Republican hopeful's next administration.

Kennedy has even appropriated Trump’s “ Make America Great Again ” tagline to promote chronic disease awareness: “ Make America Healthy Again ."

Recent reports indicate Kennedy has been advising the former president on who should head the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the National Institutes of Health, and the Food and Drug Administration — agencies that RFK Jr. has criticized for decades.

Trump’s former CDC director, Robert Redfield, said on Wednesday that Kennedy was the “right man for the job” in addressing the chronic diseases.

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"I think President Trump will empower him," said Redfield. "I support their noble effort to heal our children.”

During his presidential campaign, Kennedy told the Washington Examiner in an exclusive interview that he would change the direction of research at the NIH “overnight” toward eliminating exposure to toxins that contribute to chronic disease.