Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. finally offered an explanation for his unusual choice to exercise in denim.
The health secretary’s questionable workout attire caught the eye of social media users last month, when he shared a photo of himself and his son at the summit of Arizona’s Camelback Mountain. RFK had sweated through a teal t-shirt, which he had tucked into blue jeans. Questions arose again when the Trump Cabinet member shared a video of a workout with Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth. Though the head of the Pentagon was dressed in standard gym clothes, Kennedy was once again wearing jeans.
Speaking to Fox News‘ Jesse Watters on Tuesday, said his decision to wear belted blue jeans and hiking boots in the gym was a quirk of scheduling that became a habit.
“Well, I just started doing that a long time ago because I would go hiking in the morning and then I’d go straight to the gym, and I found it was convenient, and now I’m used to it, so I just do it,” he shared.
In the moment, Watters said RFK’s explanation made “perfect sense.” The reasoning only raised more questions for the audience, however, since wearing jeans to hike is also unusual.
Denim jeans are traditionally workwear, meant to stand up to the repetitive stresses of laboring without tearing easily. Hikers will wear long pants if the occasion calls for it, to protect their legs against scrapes, critters and the elements, but heavy denim is not a common choice for long, recreational walks in nature.
People keep asking why I wear jeans when I work out — but no one bothered to ask ME. @JesseBWatters finally did… pic.twitter.com/htIP08qBKj
— Secretary Kennedy (@SecKennedy) August 20, 2025
