RFK Jr. and Dr. Oz are trying to encourage Americans to walk more often — to save the country money. In a video that many critics called “staged,” Dr. Oz said walking 15 minutes a day would “save the country $100 billion in health expenses.” Of course, the duo mentioned some health benefits of walking as well. And while some people had no issue with the overall message, they couldn’t get over how cringe-worthy the video was.
“What in f’in PowerPoint presentation is this cringe bs,” one person wrote in response to the hiking video shared by RFK Jr. on X. Meanwhile, someone else said, “Not sure what’s weirder the staged hike for the cameras or wearing jeans while hiking … f—ing weirdos.”
RFK Jr. and Dr. Oz went for a hike in Colorado Springs.
Fifteen minutes outside can change your day — and your life.
— Secretary Kennedy (@SecKennedy) August 13, 2025
It sharpens your mind, strengthens your body, and restores the connection so many of us have lost — to each other, to nature, and to ourselves.
Thanks @DrOzCMS for joining me on this hike. pic.twitter.com/7HBa0SQjsJ
As they walked around the Garden of the Gods park, the two men spoke about the benefits of regular physical activity. “I try to hike every day because it improves my focus, my clarity, my creativity,” RFK Jr., who is the Secretary of Health and Human Services, said. “It also gives me sunlight. Sunlight is medicine.”
He also addressed the mental health benefits of walking, and added that going for a walk is even better when you go with a friend. “Move a muscle, change a thought,” RFK Jr. said. “If you want to change a bad mood, if you want to get out of your loneliness, this trap of loneliness, go out for a walk. And better yet, when I go out for a walk, I always try to take a friend.”
At the end of the video, they started climbing — in jeans.
Oz and RFK Jr. go climbing together. pic.twitter.com/6toX0jWgW9
— Molly Ploofkins (@Mollyploofkins) August 15, 2025
After more than two minutes of footage of the two men walking around the park together, the video cut to RFK Jr. saying, “Mehmet, we got to go. This mountain is not going to climb itself.” They then started climbing — but critics had their doubts.
Several people suggested that the video was super “staged” and “cringe” while others insisted that it had to be AI. They pointed to RFK Jr. and Dr. Oz’s unconventional rock climbing apparel choices. “One’s wearing jeans, the other, regular tennis shoes? With those inclines?” one critic questioned on X. Another person wrote, “No one goes rock climbing in shorts. This is a Hollywood set — fake. We are a stupid country.”
Others believed it was technically real, but still remained skeptical. “Is there more to this tape? Wouldn’t it be funny if they only climbed that one bit and they were very close to the ground?” a third person wondered.
People pointed out other flaws in the message.
@tmz This video of #RFK ♬ original sound – TMZ
While there’s nothing inherently wrong with encouraging people to go on walks, many people couldn’t help but feel like the Trump administration could be doing more to improve people’s health and wellbeing. Reacting to a clip of the video shared by TMZ, one person wrote, “You know what else saves money and lives? AFFORDABLE HEALTH INSURANCE! Affordable HEALTHY FOOD. This country offers neither of them!”
Another person simply wrote, “Can we please have real healthcare?”
Others pointed out that many Americans don’t have time for regular physical activity. “Maybe if kids parents didn’t work multiple jobs to pay for insane groceries, healthcare, and rent, they could get their kids off the phone and out in nature,” a third critic pointed out.
A few people mentioned how the Trump administration has left National Parks struggling to operate. “Great message theoretically,” one person said of RFK Jr. and Dr. Oz’s hiking video. “But let’s not forget whose administration is closing up National Park protected land.”
