WASHINGTON, D.C.—President Donald Trump turned a policy discussion on rural healthcare into a social media spectacle on Friday, January 16, 2026. While discussing his administration’s efforts to lower prescription drug costs, Trump went on a characteristic tangent about an unnamed, “very smart,” and “wealthy” friend who reportedly saw no results from using Ozempic.
1. The Anecdote: “Fatter Than Ever”
Trump described the individual as a powerful businessman who frequently travels to London. The President used the story to highlight the price disparity between the U.S. and the UK, but quickly pivoted to the drug’s effectiveness.
- The Dialogue: Trump recalled telling his friend, “The drug is not working on you, move to something else!” * The Blunt Truth: When the friend supposedly thanked him for the feedback, Trump responded, “Well, I gotta be truthful. Always tell the truth.”
- The “Fat Shot” Moniker: Trump repeatedly referred to the GLP-1 medication as “the fat drug” or “the fat shot,” a term he has used in similar anecdotes dating back to May 2025.
2. Social Media Speculation: Who is the “Very Fat” Friend?
The internet quickly moved to identify the mystery billionaire. While the White House did not name the individual, several theories gained traction:
| Suspected Individual | Why the Theory Fits | Contradictions |
| Elon Musk | Has publicly admitted to using Wegovy/Ozempic; very rich and powerful. | Musk famously lost a significant amount of weight and praised the drug. |
| Leon Black | High-profile billionaire within Trump’s social circle. | No public record of Ozempic use or recent weight gain. |
| A “Composite” Friend | Some critics argue the person may be a rhetorical device to discuss drug pricing. | Trump insisted he saw the man “recently.” |
3. Context: The “TrumpRx” Rollout
The lighthearted jab served as a lead-in to a serious policy update. In November 2025, the Trump administration launched TrumpRx, a program aimed at matching international drug prices.
- Ozempic Price Cut: Under the new deal, Ozempic and Wegovy prices have been slashed from over $1,000 to $350 per month through the TrumpRx portal.
- Medicare/Medicaid: Starting mid-2026, the price for eligible seniors will drop further to $245.
- Dr. Mehmet Oz’s Role: The event was attended by Dr. Mehmet Oz, the head of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), who has been a key figure in negotiating these price caps with pharmaceutical giants Eli Lilly and Novo Nordisk.