RFK Jr. Tells Americans to Start Eating ‘Liver’ Because of Rising Beef Prices
Beef prices in the United States have hit record highs, and the country’s top health official has a fix: eat liver. Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. made the suggestion at a Make America Healthy Again event on February 27, 2026, catching many Americans off guard. The comment instantly went viral, and the debate it sparked goes far beyond grocery lists.
What RFK Jr. Actually Said
Speaking at the MAHA Action “Eat Real Food” rally in Austin, Texas, Kennedy addressed the rising cost of beef head-on. “If you buy a porterhouse steak, it is gonna set you back,” he told the crowd. “You can buy liver or the cheaper cuts of steak that are very, very affordable.” The clip spread rapidly across social media, drawing both mockery and a surprising degree of support.
Beef Prices Are, In Fact, at Record Levels
Kennedy’s remarks landed against a striking backdrop. According to The Hill, the average price of a pound of ground beef climbed from $5.54 in January 2025 to $6.75 by January 2026, the highest on record. This directly contradicts President Trump’s State of the Union claim that beef prices were “starting to come down significantly,” adding a layer of irony to Kennedy’s budget advice.
Yes, Liver Is Nutrient-Dense. But There Are Limits
Dietitians agree liver has real nutritional value. “It’s rich in protein, iron, vitamin A, B12, folate and many other micronutrients,” registered dietitian Sam Previte told HuffPost. But the catch is quantity. Even a three-ounce serving delivers over 1,300% of the recommended daily intake of copper, a level that can cause nausea, vomiting, and abdominal pain if liver is eaten too frequently.
Too Much of a Good Thing Can Actually Hurt You
Registered dietitian Abbey Roberts warns that liver should not become a daily staple. Vitamin A, a fat-soluble nutrient found in large quantities in liver, can accumulate in the body over time. Eating it regularly may lead to headaches, bone pain, and in severe cases, vision problems and liver damage. These risks are especially significant for pregnant women and those already taking high-dose supplements.
The Heart Disease Factor No One Is Talking About
Liver is also high in dietary cholesterol, a concern for anyone managing cardiovascular risk. Dietitian Clara Nosek noted it is “unsurprising” Kennedy recommends it, given his history of championing saturated fats, beef tallow, and whole milk. The American Heart Association advises limiting these very foods to protect heart health, a guidance that sits in direct tension with the broader MAHA diet philosophy.
Most Americans Simply Will Not Cook This
Even if liver were the perfect protein, there is another problem: Americans do not know how to prepare it. It requires soaking in milk for hours to reduce its bitter taste, a step unfamiliar to most home cooks. “I don’t know a lot of people that are super stoked about wanting to eat liver,” Roberts said plainly. Nosek added that the suggestion assumes culinary skills, time, and resources many families simply do not have.
‘Let Them Eat Liver’: The Political Backlash
The political blowback was swift. Rep. Nikki Budzinski of Illinois posted a photo of Kennedy’s face superimposed on Marie Antoinette’s body with the caption “let them eat liver.” Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer quipped whether liver was on the menu at Mar-a-Lago. Democratic Rep. Ted Lieu went further, publicly urging the White House to send Kennedy to competitive districts so he could advise voters to “cope with surging inflation” by eating organ meat.
There Are Better, More Familiar Options for Affordable Protein
Dietitians are quick to point out that cheaper, more practical proteins exist. Beans, lentils, tofu, canned tuna, canned salmon, and nut butters are all shelf-stable, affordable, widely available, and far more familiar across diverse households. “These are accessible, versatile, can sit on a shelf, and culturally familiar for a wide range of people,” Previte said. They also do not require a two-hour prep ritual to make edible.
One Organ Meat Cannot Fix a Broken Food System
Telling Americans to eat liver does not address why groceries cost so much in the first place. SNAP cuts, reduced USDA inspections, and broader food access issues are the real pressure points millions face daily. “Healthy eating is sustainable habits,” Previte said. A single ingredient, especially one most people have never cooked, is not a policy. It is a deflection.
