Vice President Vance jokes about sauerkraut diet suggested by Health Secretary

At a press conference in the White House briefing room, Vice President JD Vance opened with announcements on cracking down on fraud in Michigan’s trucking industry and comments on the Venezuela oil deal and energy markets. The tone shifted when a reporter asked about Vance’s recent weight loss, prompting him to joke about his “sauerkraut diet.” He explained that he originally planned to give up sugar and social media for Lent, but consulted Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., who suggested a high-protein, fermented-food approach.

Vance said he now eats a lot of red meat and sauerkraut, a habit he claims has been adopted by other officials such as Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick and Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy, according to a report. He concluded with a humorous tip: call Kennedy for weight-loss advice, but not for culinary enjoyment.