President Donald Trump asserted during a White House roundtable on rural health care that a close friend of his became heavier after using the weight-loss medication Ozempic, using the story to underscore his administration’s push to reduce prescription drug costs. Trump made the comments on January 16, 2026, at an event where he unveiled aspects of his ‘Great Healthcare Plan,’ aiming to address the high prices of pharmaceuticals in the United States.
During the hour-long discussion, Trump diverted into a personal anecdote about an unnamed friend whom he described as ‘very smart, very, very rich, and very powerful, but he’s very fat.’ The president claimed that this individual had been taking Ozempic, a GLP-1 agonist popular for weight management, but when Trump saw him recently, he appeared ‘fatter than ever.’ Trump joked that he told his friend the drug wasn’t working and that he might need to try something else, adding, ‘I gotta be truthful. Always tell the truth.’
The story served as a segue into Trump’s criticism of drug pricing disparities. He noted that his friend pays $1,300 per month for Ozempic in New York City, while the same medication costs only $87 in London. Trump emphasized that such differences are ‘too much to bear’ and highlighted his goal to match the lowest international prices for prescription drugs in the U.S., a key component of his healthcare proposal.
Trump’s administration has been actively working to lower the cost of weight-loss drugs. In November 2025, he announced that through TrumpRx, the price of Ozempic would drop from over $1,000 monthly to around $350 for most Americans, with further reductions for Medicare and Medicaid beneficiaries to $245 per month starting in mid-2026. Oral versions, not yet available, are projected to cost as low as $149 monthly.
The president’s remarks touched on a broader cultural conversation about obesity treatments, which have gained popularity among celebrities like Oprah Winfrey, Rebel Wilson, and Chrissy Teigen. Trump acknowledged that while Ozempic ‘does work on a lot of people,’ his friend’s experience was an exception, and he used the example to advocate for more affordable access.
Healthcare experts and policymakers have long debated the high costs of medications in the U.S., and Trump’s anecdote adds a personal dimension to his policy efforts. His plan aims to leverage international pricing benchmarks to force down domestic costs, though critics question the feasibility and impact on drug innovation.
Looking ahead, the Trump administration intends to implement these price reductions in 2026, potentially affecting millions of Americans relying on weight-loss drugs. The event underscores the ongoing political focus on healthcare affordability, with Trump positioning himself as a disruptor in the pharmaceutical industry, even as he shares colorful stories from his personal circle.
