JD Vance has publicly clarified that he is not the friend President Donald Trump was referencing in a story about using weight-loss drugs.
During a cabinet meeting on Thursday, January 29, Trump recounted a tale about one of his friends attempting to lose weight with a GLP-1 medication such as Ozempic. “I told him it wasn’t working. For him, it didn’t work,” Trump said. “He knows I’m talkin’ about him. It drives him crazy. He begs me not to mention it.”
At that point, Vance interjected, insisting, “He’s not talking about me,” prompting laughter across the room.
Trump went on to describe the costs of the medication, noting that it was $87 in London but $1,300 in New York, and claimed that despite using the drug, his friend was “fatter than ever.”
This story is not new; Trump shared a similar anecdote with Sean Hannity in May 2025 and repeated it just weeks ago.
Speculation About Trump’s “Friend”
While the identity of Trump’s friend remains unknown, speculation has circulated online. Some have suggested Elon Musk, who has previously disclosed using Wegovy, a drug similar to Ozempic. Others have guessed White House Communications Director Steven Cheung, or even Trump himself, as he recently admitted he “probably” should be using Ozempic but is not.
Vance, however, has never been linked to this rumor. He has prioritized his health, losing 30 pounds between 2022 and 2024.
Other Highlights From the Cabinet Meeting
In addition to the weight-loss conversation, Trump commented on the previous cabinet meeting, saying it “got pretty boring,” and defended himself against media criticism about allegedly dozing off during the December session. He also joked about Vance, telling him he was “just here for the free coffee.”
While cabinet members were generally given time to speak, Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem was notably not called on, amid scrutiny following two deaths in Minneapolis involving ICE agents.
