WASHINGTON – Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth took part in a high-intensity pull-up and push-up challenge at the Pentagon on Monday. This was a rare show of competitiveness across departments. The event was meant to support the Trump administration’s “Make America Healthy Again” (MAHA) program, which aims to lower the number of obese people in the U.S. and encourage people to live healthier lives.
The two officials jokingly called the assignment the “Pete and Bobby challenge.” They had to do 50 pull-ups and 100 push-ups in less than five minutes. Both secretaries worked hard, but neither of them was able to reach the five-minute mark since they were surrounded by excited Navy and Marine service members. Hegseth, a retired major in the U.S. Army National Guard, beat Kennedy, who was 71 years old, by a little margin and finished barely over the time limit. “We got close,” we said. Hegseth told Fox News Digital, “I was about 5:25,” and then he informed Kennedy, “You were right behind me.”
Kennedy said that the event is only the start of a tour across the country to inspire people and soldiers to “get back in shape, eat better, and also get out and exercise.” The secretaries’ attention on military fitness is especially topical because Hegseth recently pointed out a news story concerning increased obesity rates among service members. He used X, which used to be Twitter, to say that the situation was “completely unacceptable” and that “REAL fitness & weight standards are here.” We shall be FIT, not FAT.”
Hegseth also challenged other people in the administration, publicly asking Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy to join in. “Secretary Duffy, you may take on the Pete and Bobby challenge. Is it possible for you to complete it in less than five minutes? 100 push-ups and 50 pull-ups. What do you think? Hegseth said.
President Trump supports the “Make America Healthy Again” program, which is a big push to deal with long-term illness and other health problems. Kennedy is a crucial leader in this effort because he is in charge of Health and Human Services. The challenge at the Pentagon is a clear sign that the government is serious about setting a good example for the country.