President Donald Trump faced widespread criticism following his remarks about Ozempic during a press briefing with RFK Jr at the White House on September 23, 2025. Trump referred to the injectable diabetic drug as a “fat pill” and publicly questioned its effectiveness in weight loss.
Approved in 2017 to treat type 2 diabetes, Ozempic regulates blood sugar and encourages insulin production, which also curbs appetite and contributes to weight loss—although weight loss is not its primary indication. Several similar GLP-1 drugs, including Mounjaro, Wegovy, and Saxenda, are officially approved for weight management.
Trump complained about the high cost of Ozempic in the U.S., citing prices around $1,300 per dose compared to significantly lower costs abroad. “Sometimes it works for people, but the ones I’ve seen, it hasn’t worked so well,” he said. Trump claimed some friends who used the drug showed no visible weight loss despite their claims.
The comments sparked backlash on social media, with critics urging Trump to avoid giving unqualified medical advice. One user wrote, “Ozempic isn’t a fat drug, it’s legitimate diabetes medication.” Another highlighted that his disparaging remarks about the drug lacked scientific basis.
Interestingly, despite his skepticism, the Trump administration is moving forward with a pilot program to include weight-loss drugs like Ozempic in Medicaid and Medicare coverage for obesity treatment, continuing a policy begun under the Biden administration.
