RFK Jr. Caught Popping ‘Suspicious’ Pouch During Nomination Hearing (Video)

In a moment that quickly set social media ablaze, Robert F. Kennedy Jr., President Donald Trump’s nominee for Secretary of Health and Human Services, was caught on camera discreetly slipping something into his mouth during his Senate confirmation hearing Wednesday.

The move, widely speculated to be a nicotine pouch, raised eyebrows given Kennedy’s public vow to “Make America Healthy Again.”

RFK Jr. slips in a Zyn in the middle of his Senate confirmation hearing… give him the job.#KennedyConfirmation #RFKJr pic.twitter.com/PwjrtGJquK

— Whiskey Riff (@WhiskeyRiff) January 29, 2025

A Suspicious Gesture

While answering senators’ questions, Kennedy glanced down, subtly cupped his hand, and appeared to insert an object under his upper lip. Moments later, he adjusted it with his tongue—a hallmark of nicotine pouch users.

The speculation took off almost instantly online. “That was a Zyn if I’ve ever seen one,” wrote one user on X, referring to the increasingly popular nicotine pouches that dissolve in the gumline, delivering a quick nicotine hit without the mess of traditional tobacco.

Country music site Whiskey Riff added fuel to the fire, posting, “RFK Jr. sneaks a Zyn in the middle of his confirmation hearing… give him the job.”

Nicotine and the New Right

This isn’t the first time Kennedy has been linked to Zyn. Last October, he was photographed in Los Angeles holding a pack of the pouches amid rumors of a cyber affair with journalist Olivia Nuzzi. The pouches have become a cultural symbol among Gen Z and conservative influencers alike—promoted as both a performance enhancer and a weight-loss tool.

The product’s appeal in right-wing circles is well-documented. Tucker Carlson once called Zyn “a powerful work enhancer and a male enhancer,” before launching his own alternative brand. Donald Trump Jr. is also an open advocate, frequently posting pictures with a tin within reach. The round, dip-like containers have even been jokingly described as “MAGA chewing gum.”

Health Risks and FDA Warnings

Despite its rising popularity, health experts remain concerned. In January, the Food and Drug Administration allowed Zyn to be marketed as a safer alternative to cigarettes, but officials were quick to clarify that it is still highly addictive. Many pouches contain more nicotine than traditional cigarettes, raising concerns about their impact on long-term health and youth addiction.

“Zyn is not a risk-free product,” said Dr. Lisa Monroe, a toxicologist at Johns Hopkins University. “We’re seeing increased use among teenagers, and the long-term effects are still unknown.”

Meanwhile, schools across the country are struggling to curb student usage, despite the manufacturer’s pledge to limit youth marketing.

Kennedy’s Silence

The White House has yet to comment on Kennedy’s apparent nicotine use during the hearing. When asked directly about the moment by reporters outside the chamber, Kennedy simply smiled and walked away.

With his confirmation still pending, critics argue that Kennedy’s leadership on public health may already be compromised. “If he can’t even resist nicotine pouches in a hearing,” one senator quipped anonymously, “how can we trust him to lead a national health initiative?”

For now, one thing is certain: RFK Jr.’s nomination process has become as much about public scrutiny as public policy.