A viral video circulated online in November 2025 that purported to show the United States Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), Robert F. Kennedy Jr., leaving the scene of a medical emergency in the Oval Office of the White House.
The incident allegedly occurred during a news conference in which U.S. President Trump announced a deal with pharmaceutical giants Eli Lilly and Novo Nordisk to cut prices of the company’s popular weight-loss drugs.
Users across social media platforms, particularly on X (archived, archived, archived) quickly shared a clip of the incident, which appeared to depict Kennedy hastily leaving the room for an unknown purpose.
Users disagreed over Kennedy’s intentions, however, with some sharing the clip and stating, “watch RFK Jr. skedaddle like a MF,” while others responded (archived), “There were two medical doctors literally already attending to him. It was the Secretary’s job to go get help. That’s how a medical response works.”
Kennedy’s reason for leaving the scene is unclear based on the available evidence, but video of the incident did depict him stepping out of frame. Without further evidence from the scene, it is impossible to definitively say whether RFK actually physically left the Oval Office or simply stepped out of frame of the stationary camera.
Further, based on available evidence, it was not possible to accurately determine a definitive reason Kennedy stepped away. As social media users pointed out, options include leaving to find help, moving out of the way of incoming medical staff, or simply “bailing out.”
Snopes found no definitive evidence confirming Kennedy’s intentions when leaving the room or even if he left the room completely. As such, we have opted not to give this claim a rating.
Emily G. Hilliard, press secretary for HHS, told Snopes via email that “the Secretary was focused on getting medical help for a man in need.”
The man, an executive for pharmaceutical company Eli Lilly, can be seen getting lightheaded around the 53:36 in a YouTube video of the conference streamed by the White House. Soon after, he collapses and others in the room rush to his aid while Kennedy steps out of frame moments later. The White House feed was cut soon after.
Political outlet The Hill featured an identical version of the moment on their YouTube channel, but included a portion of the continued news conference, which resumed after the man was tended to. When the conference started again, Kennedy was back in the room. Talking to the press in the Oval Office, Trump said the man who collapsed was “fine.”
The insinuation that Kennedy was fleeing the scene appeared to be amplified by independent journalist Aaron Rupar, who posted the clip of the incident on X (archived) and added, “RFK Jr’s response to someone collapsing nearby him was to haul ass out of the room as quickly as possible.”
In response to Rupar’s post, the White House’s deputy press secretary also posted to X (archived) and said, “The Secretary rushed to get medical assistance while others tended to the man, you ghoul.” This disparity in messaging fueled debate between users online.
The White House press office did not respond to Snopes’ request for comment as of this writing.
People reported a source close to the incident told the publication that Kennedy “went into the other room and got a chair because when [the man] first started falling, he thought maybe he just needed to sit.”
Eli Lilly CEO later said, “If you’ve ever been in the Oval Office, you stand a long time and it’s warm. I’m pleased to say that the White House medical staff did a great job, and he’s doing great, so nothing to be concerned about. Thanks for your concern,” according to ABC News.
For further reading, Snopes previously reported on Trump’s reaction to the medical scare as well as these same pharmaceutical companies facing a lawsuit that could potentially pay out more than $2 billion.
Sources
– YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/live/GFGmukrxZ7Y?t=3216s. Accessed 7 Nov. 2025.
– YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lHvW2kvPXuY. Accessed 7 Nov. 2025.
– YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mRdwW9qfdyY. Accessed 7 Nov. 2025.
– YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wvMogyf7viI. Accessed 7 Nov. 2025.
Christensen, Laerke. “Photo Shows Trump Looking on as Man Fainted during White House News Conference.” Snopes, 7 Nov. 2025, https://www.snopes.com//fact-check/trump-photo-man-fainting-white-house/.
Constantino, Annika Kim. “Trump Announces Deals with Eli Lilly, Novo Nordisk to Slash Weight Loss Drug Prices, Offer Some Medicare Coverage.” CNBC, 6 Nov. 2025, https://www.cnbc.com/2025/11/06/trump-eli-lilly-novo-nordisk-deal-obesity-drug-prices.html.
Esposito, Joey. “Ozempic, Other Weight-Loss Drug Makers Face Lawsuits. Here’s What We Know.” Snopes, 20 Aug. 2025, https://www.snopes.com//fact-check/ozempic-2-billion-lawsuit/.
“Insider Explains Where RFK Jr. Was Really Going When He Ran Away from Fainting Man in Viral Oval Office Clip (Exclusive).” People.Com, https://people.com/insider-explains-where-rfk-jr-was-really-going-when-he-ran-away-from-fainting-man-in-viral-oval-office-clip-exclusive-11845492. Accessed 7 Nov. 2025.
News, A. B. C. “Guest Collapses near Trump during Oval Office Weight Loss Drug Event.” ABC News, https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/guest-collapses-trump-oval-office-weight-loss-drug/story?id=127271387. Accessed 7 Nov. 2025.
