Donald Trump has once again ignited controversy, this time with remarks that many are calling both “ridiculous” and “dangerous.” During a fundraiser in Palm Beach over the weekend, the former president dismissed the weight-loss drug Ozempic as nothing more than “a fat pill,” claiming that he personally knows people who have been taking it and “don’t look any different.” According to a New York Times feature on the event, Trump’s comments drew laughter from some in the room but immediate criticism from medical experts and patient advocates who accused him of spreading misinformation about a treatment that has transformed lives worldwide.
The remarks came after a supporter asked Trump if he had considered the drug himself, given its booming popularity in the United States. As a Reuters report described, Trump waved off the question with a smirk, saying: “I call it the fat pill. People are taking it, but honestly, I don’t see the results.” His words quickly circulated online, triggering a firestorm among doctors and patients who argued the drug is far more than cosmetic — it is a lifeline for those struggling with obesity, diabetes, and related health risks.
Trump calls Ozempic a “fat pill” and claims “people don’t look any different” after using it. — @nytimes
Ozempic, a medication developed to manage type 2 diabetes, has become widely prescribed for weight management after clinical studies showed remarkable results in reducing body mass and improving overall health. Millions of Americans now take the drug, and demand is so high that shortages have been reported. As a CNN health analysis pointed out, dismissing it as merely a “fat pill” ignores the life-saving benefits it provides for people at risk of strokes, heart attacks, and long-term complications of obesity.
Doctors were quick to respond. “This isn’t a vanity pill. This is a medical treatment that reduces mortality,” said Dr. Anthony Rodriguez, an endocrinologist quoted in a Washington Post piece examining the backlash. He warned that Trump’s remarks could discourage patients from pursuing treatment, undermining years of progress in addressing obesity as a chronic disease rather than a personal failure. Advocacy groups called the comments “reckless,” stressing that careless language can worsen stigma and make patients less likely to seek help.
Endocrinologists slam Trump’s remarks: “This is not a fat pill. It is lifesaving treatment.” — @washingtonpost
Patients themselves also spoke out. Social media was filled with personal stories from people who said Ozempic had changed their lives. One woman in Texas wrote: “I’ve lost 75 pounds and reversed my diabetes. If Trump can’t ‘see results,’ maybe he’s not looking hard enough.” According to a Guardian report on public reaction, hashtags like #OzempicSavedMe and #NotAFatPill trended within hours of Trump’s comments, as users shared before-and-after photos to counter his claims.
Critics also pointed to the hypocrisy in Trump’s remarks. As a Los Angeles Times analysis highlighted, the former president has often boasted about his own health while relying on a diet of fast food and avoiding exercise. “It’s ironic that he dismisses a treatment helping millions while openly admitting he refuses to change his lifestyle,” one columnist wrote. For many, the remarks reflect Trump’s pattern of mocking health solutions while undermining expert advice — a dynamic that defined much of his pandemic response as well.
Hashtags #NotAFatPill and #OzempicSavedMe trend after Trump’s dismissive remarks. — @guardian
The pharmaceutical industry has also weighed in. Novo Nordisk, the Danish company that manufactures Ozempic, released a statement reminding the public that the medication is a scientifically validated treatment for serious conditions. According to a Business Insider report on the company’s response, executives warned that dismissive rhetoric from political figures could undermine patient confidence and discourage people from seeking treatment for chronic illness.
For Trump’s critics, the remarks fit into a broader pattern of undermining science and health expertise. As a Politico piece on the controversy argued, his words echo earlier moments when he questioned vaccines, downplayed COVID-19, and promoted unproven cures. “Every time he mocks science, it has consequences,” one analyst warned. “This is not just rhetoric — it changes behavior and endangers lives.”
“Every time Trump undermines science, people pay the price.” — Health policy expert quoted in Politico. — @politico
Yet among Trump’s supporters, the comments were celebrated as another example of him “telling it like it is.” Some right-wing commentators praised him for mocking what they called “America’s obsession with miracle drugs.” According to a Rolling Stone feature on partisan reactions, conservative influencers quickly reframed the backlash as evidence that Trump was challenging pharmaceutical companies and political correctness, portraying him as a populist voice pushing back against the medical establishment.
Meanwhile, comedians and late-night hosts had a field day. One viral monologue compared Trump’s remarks to “a man calling glasses a scam because he doesn’t wear them.” Others joked that Trump dismissing Ozempic was like “a climate change denier mocking thermometers.” As a Variety roundup of late-night reactions reported, the incident has already sparked a flood of memes, cartoons, and comedic sketches — ensuring the phrase “fat pill” will linger in the cultural conversation far longer than Trump may have intended.
For medical experts, however, the stakes are no laughing matter. “We cannot afford to let politics diminish trust in science,” said one endocrinologist, quoted in coverage from Al Jazeera. They warned that rhetoric like Trump’s not only disrespects patients but also risks public health by trivializing conditions that affect millions. For many, the comments have become yet another flashpoint in the ongoing battle between evidence-based medicine and political theater.
As the storm of reaction continues, one thing is clear: Trump’s attempt to belittle Ozempic has only amplified its significance. Instead of undermining the drug, his words have fueled new public conversations about obesity, stigma, and the vital role of science in everyday life. Whether Trump sees results or not, millions of people living healthier lives thanks to Ozempic are proof that the story is far more than a punchline.
