In a surprising social media post on Thanksgiving, US Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr shared a photograph that quickly captured public attention. The image featured him posing with former US President Donald Trump and Tesla CEO Elon Musk, alongside a traditional Thanksgiving feast.
The Viral Thanksgiving Post
Kennedy's post, simply captioned "Happy Thanksgiving," showed the three prominent figures gathered around a festive meal complete with roasted turkey and mashed potatoes. The setting appeared to be aboard an aircraft, similar to previous photographs involving Trump. The timing of this post was particularly noteworthy given the historically turbulent relationship between Trump and Musk, suggesting a possible warming of ties between the two powerful personalities.
Uncovering the Digital Truth
However, sharp-eyed internet users and digital forensics quickly revealed that the image was not a new photograph. It was discovered to be an altered version of a picture originally shared by Donald Trump Jr in 2024. The original image, promoting the "Make America Healthy Again" initiative, featured the same individuals in identical clothing, positions, and expressions. The only significant modification was the replacement of the original McDonald's fast food meal with a traditional Thanksgiving dinner spread.
The revelation sparked immediate reactions across social media platform X (formerly Twitter). One user commented, "This is an AI mod of the fast food shot isn't it?" while another noted, "How you wish it actually went down." Several users expressed approval of the meal upgrade, with one stating, "That meal is WAY better and more MAHA than the original McDonald's photo."
Context and Reactions
This incident follows a recent meeting between Musk and Trump, where they were seen dining with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman at the White House. A viral video from that event showed Trump patting Musk's belly, further fueling speculation about their evolving relationship.
Interestingly, Kennedy had previously criticized Trump's dietary habits after the original McDonald's photo went viral in 2024. He had remarked that "the food that goes onto that airplane is like just poison" and mentioned the limited choices between KFC or Big Macs.
Meanwhile, in his official Thanksgiving proclamation, Donald Trump encouraged Americans to gather and offer prayers of gratitude. He emphasized building "a future that echoes their sacrifice" as the nation approaches 250 years of independence, expressing endless gratitude to Almighty God.
The altered Thanksgiving image, while digitally manipulated, continues to generate significant online discussion about the relationships between these influential figures and the growing prevalence of AI-modified content in political discourse.
